Denyer’s much anticipated comeback to be in a DJR BF Falcon

Written on the 8 March 2009

It’s Official – Grant Denyer will make his courageous comeback to V8 Supercar racing with long time supporter Dick Johnson, in the CRIMSAFE BF Falcon powered by DJR.

Denyer and DJR  have come to an agreement that will see the iconic race team support the Channel 7 star during his V8 racing comeback.

Denyer has been off the track since an unfortunate incident in a Monster Truck saw him hospitalised and bedridden for 3 months, forcing him to miss last year’s iconic Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. He broke his back in 6 places and it was feared he may not make a full recovery. As Australia rallied around the Channel 7 favourite – Grant swore that he would one day get back behind the wheel of a V8 Supercar – and now this pledge rings true with Dick Johnson Racing.

“It’s great to see him back on his feet” team patriarch Dick Johnson explained, “Grant is a talented young driver – and his commitment to get back on his feet is a testament to the drive this young bloke has”.

Grant and DJR have a long history with the first Fujitsu series drive for Denyer being in the Summit Fleet Leasing Falcon in 2004  crewed  by Dick Johnson Racing. Grant won the inaugural Mike Kable V8 Supercar Rookie of the Year Award for the highest placed first year driver, and also went on to finish 9th outright and first rookie home with DJR’s Alex Davison in the 2005 Bathurst 1000. With some favourable results from the 2006 & 2007 season, Grant was set to light up the track in 2008, before the accident stopped him in his tracks.

He finished second in the 2008 Bathurst 12 Hour, after dominating most of the race till a drive through penalty for a crew infringement robbed him of a certain win in the last hour. He qualified 2nd fastest at the V8 Supercar Wakefield Park round, delivered two back to back V8 Supercars wins at Sandown and Queensland Raceway, and was leading the MINI Challenge series before the accident sidelined him for 6 months.

Now, after months of rehabilitation and determination, the young drivers’ career is once again on track, and Grant is unyielding in his promise that 2009 will be the watershed year in his racing career.

“I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of a V8 Supercar, this has always been my ultimate goal, and to now be well enough to really give this season a good nudge feels fantastic” explained Denyer. “Not knowing if I would ever drive again was one of the toughest moments in my life, to be at the stage I am right now is just beyond belief”.

Denyer had a hit out 2 weeks ago in the 2009 Bathurst 12 Hour Showroom Enduro as a pre season shakedown to assess his fitness.

“I wasn’t sure how I would feel, so it was a great opportunity to ease back into the sport under the medical supervision of Dr Anton Metchler. I was surprised that there was very little pain, and I was quite comfortable in the car, so I am confident I should be reasonably fit for the Clipsal 500.”

Joining the team for the first time will be new partner CRIMSAFE, a Gold Coast Company that manufactures security screens for doors and windows.

Managing Director Steve Brabeck is excited about the new relationship with Grant and DJR.

“We see this as a great opportunity to profile the CRIMSAFE brand and Grant is the perfect ambassador to help promote our product to a wider audience. This is an exciting time for our Company as we expand overseas and we are confident that our association with Grant and DJR will be a rewarding one for CRIMSAFE.”

Grants long time supporters Summit Fleet Leasing, Just Cuts, Ford, PlayStation and Blue Hype with also join the team for 2009. Just Cuts are entering their 11th season of support for Grant, which started in 1999 at the GTP Bathurst 3 Hour. Summit Fleet Leasing and Ford are also long time partners while PlayStation has continued their involvement which started in 2008.

“Lying on your back for three months forces you to re-assess many aspects of your life, and the one constant was that I definitely wanted to continue racing, it was never off the agenda. Along with keeping my race eye in on PlayStation 3, focussing on a racing comeback was the key motivator in my rehabilitation.” Grant explained. “This year is our best shot with a strong car, excellent team and a committed band of commercial partners all focussed on a winning result. It’s now up to me to step up to the bar, and being 1 centimetre shorter since the accident, is an even tougher ask than before!”

Grant will kick off the 2009 season at the Clipsal 500 at Adelaide – one of V8 Supercars Flagship events driving Steven Johnsons Number 17 Ford from 2008.  With a strong car, team, body and mind, Grant Denyer is set to make one of motoracing’s most watched and anticipated comebacks.