Johnson, Moffat, The Legend, - THE TEAM
James Moffat has been signed to drive with Jim Beam Racing in the V8 Supercars International Series.
Moffat - son of Ford racing legend Allan Moffat - joins Steven Johnson and will drive the #18 FG Falcon vacated by James Courtney.
Team founder Dick Johnson says Moffat is a great fit for The Team.
“Jim Beam Racing has shown that we know how to nurture young drivers,” said Johnson.
“I’ve watched James closely over the last few years and I’ve been really impressed with how he’s developed. Not only does he have talent, he’s Ford through-and-through which is really important to our fans.”
Ford Group Manager for Motorsport, Sponsorship and Events, Chris Styring joined Johnson in welcoming Moffat to Fords stable of International Series drivers.
We congratulate DJR for taking the proactive approach to recruiting a young driver who we feel has the potential to produce results in time.
We look forward to seeing James perform on the big stage this year and hope that he can establish himself as one of the next generations of Ford stars"
Moffat said he was relishing the opportunity to drive for Jim Beam Racing and to have the chance to step into the 2010 Championship winning car, fresh off his podium finish in the 2010 Fujitsu Series.
“Obviously I’ve got some big shoes to fill and I need to be realistic about what I can achieve in my rookie year,” said Moffat.
“However, I’ve got a great car and team to work with, so I’m looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait to get started.
“Dick Johnson Racing is arguably the most iconic and one of the most successful teams in the country, so it’s a great honour to drive for them in the V8 Supercar Championship.
“Working with Dick and Steven is going to be incredible and I can’t wait to make the most of the experience.”
Jim Beam Racing General Manager, Glenn Turnor said The Team was excited to be bringing together two legendary names in Australian Motorsport.
“Johnson and Moffat are iconic names,” said Turnor.
“Dick and Allan were great competitors. To have their sons driving together for Australia’s longest established racing team will be something really special for fans.
“With Steven by his side and Dick as his mentor we are confident that James will continue to grow as a driver.
“This is the start of an exciting new chapter for Jim Beam Racing.”
Moffat’s first outing behind the wheel of the #18 Falcon will be at the V8 Supercars International Series Test Day at Eastern Creek on Saturday 29th January.
JAMES MOFFAT BIO
The son of Australian Touring Car legend Allan Moffat, James grew up around racing and immediately developed a similar passion for motorsport. It wasn’t long before he made his own way into the sport, beginning kart racing in 1998
James competed successfully in karts until the end of 2002 at which point he made his move into circuit racing competing in some one-off races around Australia. It wasn’t until 2004 though, that James really hit his stride.
He moved into the highly competitive Lotus Trophy in 2004 and immediately established himself as a front-runner. In an amazing year he took home the rookie of the year honours and finished second in the championship. It was a sign of things to come.
For 2005 James progressed into the V8 Ute Racing Series and again took little time to adapt to the category. He earned himself another rookie of the year title and finished the year in seventh position overall, achieving some fine results.
James elected to take a year off from racing in 2006, but returned to the scene in 2007 fully recharged. James took to the highly competitive Australian Formula Ford Championship and placed third in the championship. He continued to cement himself as one of Australian Motorsports hottest young properties by wrapping up yet another rookie of the year title.
In 2008 James continued his rise up the Australian ranks, competing in the prestigious one make Australian Porsche Carrera Cup Championship. Together with Sonic Motor Racing Services James impressed some of the country’s most respected drivers by winning the final round of the season on the Gold Coast and finishing fourth in the championship. In a stellar year for James he also took home rookie of the year honours for the third time in his career.
Last year James took one of the biggest steps of his motorsport career and launched himself into the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series. In the V8 Supercar Championship’s official feeder category James shone, winning multiple races and finishing second in the championship. Once again James took home rookie of the year honours, but he was also awarded the coveted Mike Kable Young Gun V8 Supercar Award at the end of year Gala dinner.
Season 2010 promised to be a bigger and better, but a string of bad luck and reliability issues hampered his season. In an eventful year James also made his V8 Supercar Championship Series debut with Ford Performance Racing at Phillip Island and Bathurst.
In 2011 James will join iconic team Dick Johnson Racing as teammate to Steven Johnson, replacing reigning champion James Courtney. All eyes will be on James as he continues his steady rise up the Australian Motorsport ladder as ‘the rookie’ in Australia’s longest established motor racing team.
James Moffat has been signed to drive with Jim Beam Racing in the V8 Supercars International Series.
Moffat - son of Ford racing legend Allan Moffat - joins Steven Johnson and will drive the #18 FG Falcon vacated by James Courtney.
Team founder Dick Johnson says Moffat is a great fit for The Team.
“Jim Beam Racing has shown that we know how to nurture young drivers,” said Johnson.
“I’ve watched James closely over the last few years and I’ve been really impressed with how he’s developed. Not only does he have talent, he’s Ford through-and-through which is really important to our fans.”
Ford Group Manager for Motorsport, Sponsorship and Events, Chris Styring joined Johnson in welcoming Moffat to Fords stable of International Series drivers.
We congratulate DJR for taking the proactive approach to recruiting a young driver who we feel has the potential to produce results in time.
We look forward to seeing James perform on the big stage this year and hope that he can establish himself as one of the next generations of Ford stars"
Moffat said he was relishing the opportunity to drive for Jim Beam Racing and to have the chance to step into the 2010 Championship winning car, fresh off his podium finish in the 2010 Fujitsu Series.
“Obviously I’ve got some big shoes to fill and I need to be realistic about what I can achieve in my rookie year,” said Moffat.
“However, I’ve got a great car and team to work with, so I’m looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait to get started.
“Dick Johnson Racing is arguably the most iconic and one of the most successful teams in the country, so it’s a great honour to drive for them in the V8 Supercar Championship.
“Working with Dick and Steven is going to be incredible and I can’t wait to make the most of the experience.”
Jim Beam Racing General Manager, Glenn Turnor said The Team was excited to be bringing together two legendary names in Australian Motorsport.
“Johnson and Moffat are iconic names,” said Turnor.
“Dick and Allan were great competitors. To have their sons driving together for Australia’s longest established racing team will be something really special for fans.
“With Steven by his side and Dick as his mentor we are confident that James will continue to grow as a driver.
“This is the start of an exciting new chapter for Jim Beam Racing.”
Moffat’s first outing behind the wheel of the #18 Falcon will be at the V8 Supercars International Series Test Day at Eastern Creek on Saturday 29th January.
JAMES MOFFAT BIO
The son of Australian Touring Car legend Allan Moffat, James grew up around racing and immediately developed a similar passion for motorsport. It wasn’t long before he made his own way into the sport, beginning kart racing in 1998
James competed successfully in karts until the end of 2002 at which point he made his move into circuit racing competing in some one-off races around Australia. It wasn’t until 2004 though, that James really hit his stride.
He moved into the highly competitive Lotus Trophy in 2004 and immediately established himself as a front-runner. In an amazing year he took home the rookie of the year honours and finished second in the championship. It was a sign of things to come.
For 2005 James progressed into the V8 Ute Racing Series and again took little time to adapt to the category. He earned himself another rookie of the year title and finished the year in seventh position overall, achieving some fine results.
James elected to take a year off from racing in 2006, but returned to the scene in 2007 fully recharged. James took to the highly competitive Australian Formula Ford Championship and placed third in the championship. He continued to cement himself as one of Australian Motorsports hottest young properties by wrapping up yet another rookie of the year title.
In 2008 James continued his rise up the Australian ranks, competing in the prestigious one make Australian Porsche Carrera Cup Championship. Together with Sonic Motor Racing Services James impressed some of the country’s most respected drivers by winning the final round of the season on the Gold Coast and finishing fourth in the championship. In a stellar year for James he also took home rookie of the year honours for the third time in his career.
Last year James took one of the biggest steps of his motorsport career and launched himself into the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series. In the V8 Supercar Championship’s official feeder category James shone, winning multiple races and finishing second in the championship. Once again James took home rookie of the year honours, but he was also awarded the coveted Mike Kable Young Gun V8 Supercar Award at the end of year Gala dinner.
Season 2010 promised to be a bigger and better, but a string of bad luck and reliability issues hampered his season. In an eventful year James also made his V8 Supercar Championship Series debut with Ford Performance Racing at Phillip Island and Bathurst.
In 2011 James will join iconic team Dick Johnson Racing as teammate to Steven Johnson, replacing reigning champion James Courtney. All eyes will be on James as he continues his steady rise up the Australian Motorsport ladder as ‘the rookie’ in Australia’s longest established motor racing team.