Westpoint, DJR split after one season.

Westpoint Finance and Dick Johnson Racing have announced a surprise end to association in the Australian V8 Supercar series, despite having only got together at the start of the 2005 campaign.

The relationship has been ended by mutual agreement as both parties wish to pursue alternative opportunities, with team owner Dick Johnson confident that he will fond a replacement for his squad ahead of next season.

"Our association with Westpoint has been a good one, we part on good terms, and we wish them well for whatever they do next," Johnson said, "From our perspective, during the course of this year some exciting business new opportunities emerged that we are pursuing and will ensure the success of our team for many years to come. We will be making announcements regarding our plans for 2006 in due course."

Westpoint's national general manager Sean Niven explained that, despite having enjoyed the relationship with DJR, the V8 series was not necessarily the best outlet for his company's promotional aspirations.

"DJR brought us into V8 Supercars and it's been a successful partnership, but each of us recognised during that time that there were opportunities available that would better deliver our respective business imperatives," he said, "Having said that, Westpoint will continue to evaluate future opportunities with V8 Supercar racing during 2006 and does not rule out a return in the future. Meanwhile, we wish DJR every success for 2006."