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April 26th 2005
Motorsport News

Dick Johnson Turns 60

Born on April 26, 1945, Johnson is celebrating his 60th birthday in Brisbane today, surrounded by his family, his team and a big group of friends made through more than 40 years of motor racing involvement.

As he continues to love his life and his career, Johnson spent some time looking back at the good and the bad times.

“When I look back at my career, I’ve had a lot of good times, some of which obviously stand out more than others,’ Johnson said.

“In no particular order; the final round of the 1981 Touring Car Championship at Lakeside stands out.

“It was my first Championship win and it came down to that last round. It was between me and Brocky (Peter Brock), and whoever beat who ended up being the Champion. It was a wheel to wheel deal for the whole race. I won the race, beating him across the line by about two-10th of a second, even with a broken front sway bar. It was heart in the mouth stuff and a great way to win my first Championship.

“Winning Bathurst from start to finish in 1989 is a memorable moment as is the 1994 win, but any of the big race wins and the Championship wins were a real buzz.

“But really, who can forget about going through the trees like I did in 1983 and the rock incident in 1980.

“I suppose the reaction from the general public after the rock incident really took me by surprise. It was one of those things that you could never, ever plan for and it happened on the spur of the moment.

“The biggest thrill was winning Bathurst in 1981 where in some small way I felt like I’d paid back some of the debt to the many that helped me get back on track.

“Who would have thought that a rock falling onto a track could kick start a career?”

While the good memories definitely outweigh the bad ones, there are a couple of moments that Johnson would prefer to put well behind him, and forget about.

“If I had to choose two moments that still really irritate me, it would be Bathurst in 1992 and the failure to win the 1990 Touring Car Championship,” Johnson said.

“Driving the Sierra at Bathurst in1992, John Bowe and I had worked our buts off and drove as well as we ever had, but it all counted for nothing.

“The Nissan ended up winning on a count back because of the rain. We were going just fine but most were crashing out left, right and centre so officials put a stop to the race. To decide the winner they went back two laps and at that stage the Nissan was leading. That hurt, that really hurt.

“But ... they were the rules, and those rules helped us win the 2001 Queensland 500.

“As for the 1990 Championship, we had a failure at Barbagallo when a brake disc exploded, and I made a stupid mistake at Lakeside. Had these two incidents not happened I would have won the title. I’m not hugely into records but three Championships in a row would have been nice.”

As much as motorsport plays a major part of Johnson’s life, it all means nothing without his loving wife Jill and his family.

“Outside of motorsport it is all about my wife and the family,” Johnson said.

“I’ve been able to be with the one women all of my life, which in this day and age is pretty rare.

“Of course I’ve got two great children who have grown into adults that I can be proud of and I’ve just become a grandparent, which is also very special.

“My dad told me many years ago that the only thing you get by looking back is a sore neck, and that’s how I look at thinks.

“I’ve enjoyed every day of my life, the good, the bad and the ugly and wouldn’t change a thing.”