» V8s: New sponsors and driver at DJR

Dick Johnson Racing has finalised its driver line-up for the 2014 V8 Supercars Championship season, signing former Brad Jones Racing driver David Wall to partner Scott Pye next year.

In addition to its ongoing multi-year naming rights sponsorship deal with Wilson Security, the team has secured a second major sponsor in the form of the Payce Consolidated property group, which follows Wall across to the Queensland-based team.

The announcement marks an incredible turnaround for the championship’s oldest team, which was on the verge of collapse before the start of the 2013 season before it staged a remarkable mid-season recovery which peaked with a race win at Ipswich.

The team recently confirmed its purchase of a second Racing Entitlements Contract (REC) and the signing of Scott Pye, and will next year be referred to as Wilson Security Racing.

“We have watched David Wall, as we do all the young guys, and I have been impressed with how he keeps qualifying in very strong positions,” team owner Dick Johnson said of his latest signing.

“It may well be the hardest part of today’s championship so I am confident that with Campbell (Little, sporting director) and our guys we can bring on his race results to match. He will be a good fit and he is a nice guy.”

Wall, a two-time Australian GT Championship winner, finished 21st in his second season of full-time competition in the V8 Supercars Championship, putting in a number of strong qualifying performances.

However, that didn’t translate into good race results, with a trio of tenth-placed finishes the best he could muster.

“I have now had two seasons with BJR with a small and very dedicated crew but I now need to take the next step and there could be no better opportunity for me than joining a two car team at DJR,” Wall added.

“I acknowledge the expectation for me to take the next step in my overall performance as part of it. I feel genuinely privileged to have such an opportunity.”

The announcement means that DJR enters the 2014 season with a brand new driver line-up. Its star 2013 recruit, Chaz Mostert, will return to Ford Performance Racing from where he was loaned, while Tim Blanchard finds himself vying for one of the few remaining seats on next year’s grid.