CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF DICK JOHNSON RACING

Dick Johnson came to public attention in 1980, when leading the Bathurst 1000 he crashed out of the race after hitting a rock allegedly rolled onto the track by a spectator.

The Australian public sat glued to their TV screens as a deeply emotional Johnson shared his despair with the nation.

So moved was the public by Johnsons plight, they jammed the Channel 7 switchboard with calls, pledging money to help him rebuild his Tru Blu Ford Falcon XD.

With the telecast now a telethon, Edsel Ford called through with a promise to match dollar-for-dollar every public donation received.

Over $84 000 was raised, which launched Dick Johnson Racing and turned Dick into a national celebrity.

Johnson returned to Bathurst the following year to win the race and take out the Australian Touring Car Championship.

Ford fans had a new hero and Dick Johnson Racing, - The Team Australia Made -, was born.