Photo: Supercars

Ralph family takes majority stake in DJR from 2023

Dick Johnson Racing has announced that it will fall under new ownership from the start of the 2023 Supercars season, with the Ralph family becoming the majority stakeholder in the team.

It is the third change of ownership in the last decade, following Roger Penske’s takeover in 2014 before selling to current team principal Ryan Story at the end of 2020.

The Ralph family is perhaps best known in Australian sporting circles for its involvement in the Melbourne Aces Baseball club as well as the NRL side Melbourne Storm and Sunshine Coast Lightning Super Netball club.

Brett Ralph, the director of  Sunshine Coast Lightning and the chair of the Aces said: “On behalf of the Ralph family, we are honoured to join Dick Johnson Racing as a majority shareholder.

“We are very excited to be part of Australia’s most iconic race team who has winning in its culture, just like all of our other business ventures and partnerships.”

Current team owners Dick Johnson and Story will remain as “significant shareholders” in the team.

“I am excited to announce today the team’s partnership with the Ralph family,” Story said.

“Brett and the Ralph family are strategic investors at DJR, with the current management structure we have in place continuing to run the business day to day as they have been.

“Brett and the Ralph family are fantastic people, and we couldn’t imagine partnering with anyone else.

“They are extremely experienced business people with a passion for sport that is undeniable.

“From the moment I first spoke with Brett he and I just clicked, and I knew we would have a fantastic working relationship.”

For five-time Australian Touring Car champion and three-time Bathurst winner Johnson, the vision of the Ralph family is something he shares.

“Jillie and I are excited to welcome the Ralph family in to Dick Johnson Racing,” said Johnson.

“We are immensely proud of the family culture we have created at DJR.

“To be working with a family who have the same values and views is extremely exciting and confidence-instilling.”