Photo: DJR

Owen and Luff at DJR

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Experienced V8 Supercar drivers Steve Owen & Warren Luff will join Dick Johnson’s Jim Beam Racing team for this year’s long-distance events.
Owen & Luff will support team regulars Steve Johnson & Will Davison to contest the L & H 500 at Phillip Island and the Super Cheap 1000 at Bathurst later this year.

“For Jim Beam Racing & Ford, it’s great to get the guys organised early and up to speed,” Dick Johnson said.

“Having access to two such experienced guys is a real bonus, so we can take full advantage of the new co-driver sessions at races throughout this year and get both drivers fully comfortable with our Falcons.

“Jim Beam Racing will be fielding two very competitive entries in the long-distance races no matter what the final combinations are.”

Jim Beam Racings Sporting Director Adrian Burgess was equally impressed with the signing of Owen and Luff.

We believe we have signed the two best drivers that arent currently driving full time in the main game; this will allow us to be flexible with our combinations when it comes time to decide on pairings for the endurance events, said Adrian Burgess.

Owen, 34, was a stand-out performer in V8 Supercar’s 2007 season with a string of impressive results driving for a small budget team.

And he’s already notched up his first V8 Supercar win this season, taking the opening round of the Fujitsu Series in Adelaide just over a week ago.

Dicks team came on strong in 2007 and show every sign of being an even stronger force in 2008, so I am delighted to be a part of it,” Steve Owen said.

“Ultimately I want to break back into a full time drive in the main game, if that opportunity arises with DJR somewhere down the track that would be a great opportunity.”

For Luff, 31, the long-distance drive marks a return to Johnson’s team, for whom he drove during the 2004 season.

“Driving for Dick again feels a bit like coming home it’s a great team, the gear is good, I am very comfortable with the cars & the guys, and its going to be a very positive experience.”

2008 promises to be another successful enduro campaign for Jim Beam Racing after a podium finish for Davison and Johnson at Bathurst in 2007 and the teams second Falcon finishing inside the top ten.

The L & H 500 at Phillip Island is on September 14 and the Super Cheap 1000 at Bathurst on 12 October 2008.