Paul Morris Motorsport (PMM) was impressed by 2010 Australian V8 Ute Racing Series Champion Grant Johnson who tested the V.I.P. Petfoods Commodore during the team's official test session at Queensland Raceway today (Thursday, 4th August).
Johnson, who was gifted the test session in a current V8 Supercar as a prize for his 2010 championship victory, was a mere 0.5 seconds off Owen's best lap and has now become a strong consideration for future endurance drives with Paul Morris' Gold Coast-based Supercar outfit.
"He [Johnson] showed raw talent out there today and produced really impressive times while keeping a cool head and the car on the track at all times," commented an enthusiastic Morris.
"We've given a few guys from other categories the opportunity to drive one of PMM's Supercars but nobody has impressed more than Grant.
"I would definitely consider him a strong contender for an endurance drive in the future."
With PMM's driver line-up still unconfirmed for next year's Championship, Johnson's efforts have placed him in high regard with the team.
"That was an incredible opportunity and I'm really thankful to Paul and his team for allowing me to drive their Supercar today," commented Johnson.
"If they [PMM] offered me an enduro drive I would be on the next flight from Perth over to the Gold Coast for sure!
"I last drove a V8 Supercar in 2003 so this was a brand new experience for me with the sequential shift and I was really impressed with how responsive the cars are now compared to what they used to be."
If Johnson moves into a V8 Supercar drive he will become one of three current V8 Ute Drivers (Nathan Pretty and Cameron McConville), who also juggle V8 Supercar duties.
Australian V8 Ute Category Manager, Craig Denyer of SPHERIX is pleased with the opportunity that PMM have given to V8 Ute Series and Rookie champions over the past two years.
"It's a great opportunity for the drivers; it gives them an added bonus after winning the championship or Rookie title. It is a testament that the V8 Utes are a real feeder category to the V8 Supercars," explained Denyer.
The V8 Utes have seen at least ten drivers move from V8 Utes into V8 Supercars over the years including TV Personality Grant Denyer, James Moffat, Dean Canto, Marcus Zukanovic, Damien White, Gary MacDonald, Chris Pither, James Brock, Layton Crambrook and Jesus Racing's Andrew Fisher.
There are eight drivers in the current series that have V8 Supercar experience including; Johnson, Gary Baxter, David Sieders, Ryan Hansford, Nathan Pretty, Ryal Harris, Nandi Kiss and Cameron McConville adding to the expanse of talent in the Series.
Johnson is hoping to be back on track for the next V8 Utes race at Round 5 of the 2011 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series - protected by Armor All, at Mount Panorama; however he is still trying to secure sponsorship for the remainder of the year.
The West Aussie, Johnson is currently second in the ENZED V8 Ute Championship behind Ice Break Racing's Chris Pither by only four points. Gold Coaster Ryal Harris is in third. 2010 Rookie David Sieders is currently in fourth in the Series and was meant to test with Johnson, however has moved his day to 4th September as his wife is due to have their second child. Maybe Sieders will also be in the running for an endurance drive?
