Three-pronged attack for defending Fujitsu champs.

Dick Johnson Racing will run three cars in the 2006 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series it was announced today, with two newcomers joining the defending series champions for this year's series.

Following the promotion of 2005 DJR pilot and title winner Dean Canto to Garry Rogers Motorsport in the top level of Australian V8 Supercars, Dick Johnson Racing has revealed that 2005 driver and television personality Grant Denyer will be partnered by ex-Formula Ford competitor Andrew Thompson and one-time F3 driver and sprintcar racer Marcus La Delle.

Three cars have been entered for the team in 2006. In between media commitments for the Seven Network, Denyer will once again compete in the #81 Summit Fleet Leasing/Jax QuickFit tyres BA Falcon - the same car as last year. Thompson has been handed the keys to Dean Canto's 2005 championship-winning Ford, which will be sponsored by Latitude Developments, while La Delle will make his V8 debut in the AU Falcon piloted by Will Davison at selected rounds of last year's series and now backed by FirstRock Home Loans and V8 Telecom, DJR's main game partners.

With a near dominant year in the Fujitsu Series setting a tough benchmark to meet for DJR, team principal Dick Johnson remains keen to give his new proteges the opportunity to impress in the 'tier two' V8 league.

"It's fantastic to have Grant racing with us again and, with two promising new talents in Andrew and Marcus on board, we're more than pleased," he said, "The boys are ready to hit the track - by the sounds of things, they're all raring to go - we have three solid cars and three equally solid drivers. I look forward to seeing what the season brings."

Denyer, who claimed a single podium finish in his debut season, will now lead the team in his quest for V8 Supercar glory and, with a large contingent of last year's challengers being promoted to main seats, could be a title contender.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be driving for DJR again this year," he said, "It's looking like a busy time ahead for me in general, but I'm going to ensure I get as much time in the car as I can. I'm definitely looking forward to driving alongside Andrew and Marcus; I think there will be a great team dynamic."

Newcomers Thompson and La Delle will get their first competitive hit-out in a V8 Ford at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide in late March, and the pair are keen to get into some panel rubbing.

"I'm rapt to be driving with DJR, it's a rare opportunity and I'm certainly going to give my all and make the most of it," Thompson said, while La Delle echoed similar sentiments.

"Driving for Dick Johnson is a dream come true, I'm so excited to be hitting the track full-time in a V8 Supercar this year, it's my number one focus," he said.

The three DJR Fujitsu team pilots will join V8 Supercar full-timers Steven Johnson and Will Davison at the 2006 season opener in Adelaide from 23-26 March.