Jim Beam Racing was tightlipped today on a surprise report that V8 Supercar star James Courtney would be lining up for the team next year.
Courtney is to quit Stone Brothers Racing and was widely expected to slot in at Ford Performance Racing -- the only other Ford outfit with factory backing.
But a report in today's motorsport website mnews.com.au has suggested a shock switch by Courtney to Dick Johnson Racing.
The DJR Ford team, backed by Jim Beam, refused to comment on the report today but agreed it had yet to settle on a driver lineup for 2009.
Team spokesman Garry Nash said their current racers, Will Davison and Steven Johnson, were both out of contract at the end of this season.
Nash said there would be no announcement on their drivers until after next week's Bathurst 1000 endurance race.
"There is that much water to go under the bridge before our two drivers are secured," Nash said.
"We're not going to do it in dribs and drabs, we've obviously got two drivers driving with us until the end of the year but we are close to finalising our 2009 lineup."
Today's report said Courtney had agreed at the last minute to drive for DJR next year.
"The 28-year-old Stone Brothers Racing driver turned the V8 Supercar driver market on its head late last week when his manager Alan Gow agreed a deal with DJR," it said.
"He will race one of the team's two Triple Eight Racing Engineering-built cars, which will be powered by in-house DJR engines."
Courtney apparently was preparing to sign a deal with Ford Performance Racing and Jim Morton, the principal of the Ford Rising Stars team.
The report said the news came as a complete shock to both Ford and FPR management.
Ford Performance Racing manager Tim Edwards declined to comment.
It is understood that Courtney and Gow began talks with several Ford teams as far back as last March with FPR emerging as the preferred option.
