Dick Johnson (racing driver): Difference between revisions
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He started out as a battling back-marker in the 1970s. Despite becoming synonymous with driving [[Ford Motor Company|Fords]], Johnson raced in his early days in a FJ Holden then a [[Holden Torana]]. |
He started out as a battling back-marker in the 1970s. Despite becoming synonymous with driving [[Ford Motor Company|Fords]], Johnson raced in his early days in a FJ Holden then a [[Holden Torana]]. |
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In 1980, during the [[Bathurst 1000]], his car was destroyed after hitting a rock that had fallen (or been thrown) onto the track. The resulting public support—AU$70,000 was donated to help rebuild the car—threw Johnson into the big time. The Ford motor company promised to match the donation dollar for dollar. His first primary sponsor to escalate him into the big arena was Ross Palmer, owner of Palmer Tube Mills of Brisbane, Australia, allowing him to return the next year to win both the [[Australian Touring Car Championship]] (ATCC) and the Bathurst 1000 (with [[John French (motor racing)|John French]]. He won the ATCC again in 1982 (the Tru Blu XD [[Ford Falcon (Australia)|Falcon]]), 1984 (Greens Tuff XE Falcon), 1988 ([[Ford Sierra]] RS500) and 1989 (Ford Sierra RS500). He also won Bathurst in 1989 (in a Ford Sierra with [[John Bowe (racing driver)|John Bowe]]) and 1994 (in an EB Falcon, also with John Bowe). The names Tru Blu, and Greens Tuff were product names of Palmer Tube Mills. With much larger budgets required in the racing industry, Palmer helped negotiate for Shell to be primary sponsor. |
In 1980, during the [[Bathurst 1000]], his car was destroyed after hitting a rock that had fallen (or been thrown) onto the track. The resulting public support—AU$70,000 was donated to help rebuild the car—threw Johnson into the big time. The Ford motor company promised to match the donation dollar for dollar. His first primary sponsor to escalate him into the big arena was Ross Palmer, owner of Palmer Tube Mills of Brisbane, Australia, allowing him to return the next year to win both the [[Australian Touring Car Championship]] (ATCC) and the Bathurst 1000 (with [[John French (motor racing)|John French]]. He won the ATCC again in 1982 (the Tru Blu XD [[Ford Falcon (Australia)|Falcon]]), 1984 (Greens Tuff XE Falcon), 1988 ([[Ford Sierra]] RS500) and 1989 (Ford Sierra RS500). He also won Bathurst in 1989 (in a Ford Sierra with [[John Bowe (racing driver)|John Bowe]]) and 1994 (in an EB Falcon, also with John Bowe). The names Tru Blu, and Greens Tuff were product names of Palmer Tube Mills. With much larger budgets required in the racing industry, Palmer helped negotiate for Shell to be primary sponsor. Dick has been famously quoted with saying the following controversial comment after his Tru Blu XD almost claimed victory at the 1980 Bathurst race before hitting a rock in the closing stages of the gruelling “race of all races” which he has named as his motivation for his 1981 Bathurst victory, "I would rather push a HOLDEN than drive a ford. |
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==NASCAR== |
==NASCAR== |
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Revision as of 21:59, 3 October 2008
Dick Johnson | |
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| Children | Steven, Kelly |
| Website | Dick Johnson Racing |
Dick Johnson (born in Queensland, Australia) is the owner of the V8 Supercar team Dick Johnson Racing and a former racing driver. As a driver, he was a five-time Australian Touring Car Champion and a three-time winner of the Bathurst 1000. As of 2008 Johnson has claimed over twenty awards and honors.[citation needed]
As a teen Johnson attended Cavendish Road State High School in Brisbane, Australia and it was in this area of Coorparoo that he first started driving with his father as a young child.
He started out as a battling back-marker in the 1970s. Despite becoming synonymous with driving Fords, Johnson raced in his early days in a FJ Holden then a Holden Torana.
In 1980, during the Bathurst 1000, his car was destroyed after hitting a rock that had fallen (or been thrown) onto the track. The resulting public support—AU$70,000 was donated to help rebuild the car—threw Johnson into the big time. The Ford motor company promised to match the donation dollar for dollar. His first primary sponsor to escalate him into the big arena was Ross Palmer, owner of Palmer Tube Mills of Brisbane, Australia, allowing him to return the next year to win both the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) and the Bathurst 1000 (with John French. He won the ATCC again in 1982 (the Tru Blu XD Falcon), 1984 (Greens Tuff XE Falcon), 1988 (Ford Sierra RS500) and 1989 (Ford Sierra RS500). He also won Bathurst in 1989 (in a Ford Sierra with John Bowe) and 1994 (in an EB Falcon, also with John Bowe). The names Tru Blu, and Greens Tuff were product names of Palmer Tube Mills. With much larger budgets required in the racing industry, Palmer helped negotiate for Shell to be primary sponsor. Dick has been famously quoted with saying the following controversial comment after his Tru Blu XD almost claimed victory at the 1980 Bathurst race before hitting a rock in the closing stages of the gruelling “race of all races” which he has named as his motivation for his 1981 Bathurst victory, "I would rather push a HOLDEN than drive a ford.
NASCAR
In 1989 and 1990, prompted by Palmer Tube Mills who assisted him in receiving multiple sources of sponsorship, Johnson made a brief foray into the Nascar Winston Cup, entering a total of seven races with a best start of 11th at Sears Point Raceway in his first race, and a best finish of 22nd at Pocono Raceway.[1]
Dick Johnson retired from racing at the end of the 1999 season. He remains in charge of the team, but his son Steven has taken over driving Johnson's famous Number 17.
Career results
| Season | Series | Position | Car | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 16th | Holden Torana LC GTR | |
| 1971 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 13th | Holden Torana LC XU1 | |
| 1972 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 7th | Holden Torana LC XU1 | |
| 1973 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 42nd | Holden Torana LJ XU1 | |
| 1974 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 13th | Holden Torana LJ XU1 | |
| 1975 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 23rd | Holden Torana LJ XU1 | |
| 1976 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 28th | Holden Torana LJ XU1 | |
| 1977 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 22nd | Ford Falcon XB GT | Bryan Byrt Ford |
| 1978 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 10th | Ford Falcon XC | Bryan Byrt Ford |
| 1979 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 29th | Ford Falcon XC | Bryan Byrt Ford |
| 1981 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 1st | Ford Falcon XD | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1982 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 1st | Ford Falcon XD | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1983 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 6th | Ford Falcon XE | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1984 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 1st | Ford Falcon XE | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1985 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 2nd | Ford Mustang | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1986 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 6th | Ford Mustang | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1987 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 6th | Ford Sierra RS Cosworth | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1988 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 1st | Ford Sierra RS500 | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1989 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 1st | Ford Sierra RS500 | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1990 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 4th | Ford Sierra RS500 | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1991 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 8th | Ford Sierra RS500 | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1992 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 8th | Ford Sierra RS500 | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1993 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 5th | Ford Falcon EB | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1994 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 8th | Ford Falcon EB | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1995 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 7th | Ford Falcon EF | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1996 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 10th | Ford Falcon EF | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1997 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 7th | Ford Falcon EL | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1998 | Australian Touring Car Championship | 10th | Ford Falcon EL | Dick Johnson Racing |
| 1999 | V8Supercar Championship Series | 10th | Ford Falcon AU | Dick Johnson Racing |
References
- ^ "Dick Johnson". Nascar. Retrieved 2006-07-15.