Dream come true as Denyer gets DJR seat.

Australia's most popular weather man is about to become one of the country's favourite V8 Supercar drivers after it was announced that Grant Denyer will be driving one of Dick Johnson Racing's Falcons in the 2005 V8 Super Development Series.

The Sunrise reporter will drive the number 81 Summit Fleet Leasing/Jax Tyres Ford and partner 2000 Development Series champion Dean Canto, who will steer the 71 BA Falcon.

"It's every red blooded Aussie male's dream to be a V8 Supercar driver, and I'm no different," Denyer said on the announcement. "When you have a goal of driving at Bathurst, the commercial reality is that you need to be in the main game, so to be here is fantastic, for me and the sponsors, it's a dream come true."

Denyer has been a front-runner in the V8Brutes series which continues in 2005 as the V8 Utes running with AVESCO races. The TV presenter appears all over Australia for the sunrise show and is thrilled to be bringing his entire sponsor package from BRutes to Dick Johnson Racing in 2005.

"I've had an incredible amount of support from Summit Fleet Leasing, Jax Tyres and Microcat, so to have them jump from V8 BRutes to V8 Supercars with me is fantastic," Denyer said.

"You don't get anywhere in this sport without support from your sponsors, without them you go no-where fast. Thankfully companies like Summit, Jax Tyres and Ford been brave enough to share a young boy's dream and carry me through."

As excited as Denyer is, he knows that 2005 represents a steep learning curve year as he slides into a V8 cockpit for the first time.

"I'm under no grand illusions that I'll be racing at the front this year," he said. "Utes to V8s will be like going from an ancient sundial, to tell the time, to using a digital watch; I'll definitely be taking it one race at a time.

"It's a two year plan, because you're not going to move into a V8 Supercar category and make an impression straight away, it just doesn't happen," he continues.

"In the first year I just want consistent, solid results, but most importantly I need to spend valuable time with icons like Dick Johnson, who knows everything, and engineers who can guide me through."

Denyer also admits to feeling the pressure to perform in front of some of the sports legends. "To be driving with Dick Johnson peering over the fence and guys like Steve
Johnson and Glenn Seton watching your every move, is enormous pressure," Denyer said.

"Even as a Channel Ten commentator I never got over the wow factor of having to interview these guys, now I've got to perform in front of them, it's nerve wracking."

"Having said this, I'm sure I'll enjoy the ride. I'm now involved with the biggest act of all, the V8 Supercars. It can't get better than this."