Chaz Mostert will replace Jonny Reid in the #12 Dick Johnson Racing Wilson Security-backed Ford Falcon for the remainder of the 2013 V8 Supercars season.
Mostert will make his main series debut at the Chill Perth 360 after competing for the last three years in the Dunlop Series.
The decision comes as Dick Johnson Racing announced it is set to expand its existing partnership with Ford Performance Racing.
The factory Ford outfit will also extend its technical support of DJR with customer support engineer Adam DeBorre – who already works as a technical liaison with the team – taking on the role of race engineer to Mostert.
The Ford Performance Racing-contracted driver who currently tops the Dunlop Series standings with Matthew White Motorsport, after FPR decided not to field an entry of its own, will be released from his Dunlop Series commitments and his endurance co-driver seat with Ford Performance Racing, to make his V8 Supercars debut.
“I can’t believe I am getting the chance to make my main series debut as I hadn’t expected it this year, but Perth is a great place to debut as I really like racing there,” Mostert said.
“The whole thing is a bit surreal. I’ve been pretty speechless since I found out, though to stay in the Ford and FPR family network is special and to race for the iconic DJR is a dream.
“There will be so many things that I haven’t experienced before as the Championship series is the big time, but the biggest box I want to tick is to show that I am fast enough to belong. I want to learn as much as I can racing with the more established guys.”
Dick Johnson Racing team principal, Dick Johnson explained the move was a tough decision but the right one for the team.
“This is the toughest touring car series in the world. We have seen with Tim Blanchard that the grooming the Dunlop Series gives our young drivers is the best path to the V8 Supercars Championship.” Johnson said.
“We have made this change to our driver line up quite early in the season but we know Chaz will be a great partner to Tim and the added input from FPR is the right move for DJR.
“Make no doubt about it; Jonny Reid is a very talented driver. In hindsight, it may have been better to run him through a season in the Dunlop Series, but I have no doubt he will emerge again in this championship.”
Ford Performance Racing team principal Tim Edwards was pleased Ford’s two teams had increased their level of collaboration.
“FPR and DJR have been working together closely since the end of last year and having Chaz drive for DJR is a positive extension of our relationship,” Edwards said.
“It will not only help DJR develop their new cars quicker, which is important for all of us, but gives Chaz the main series opportunity he deserves, so I know both sides will benefit immensely.
“While he obviously remains an FPR driver long-term, we know he will be in good hands with Dick, Steve and the team. I’d like to thank Chaz’s current team Matthew White Motorsport for releasing him from his Dunlop Series commitments so he can make this important step in his career.”
