Dick Johnson's first Australian Touring Car Championship.
Johnson and Brock race in their classic duel for the 1981 Australian Touring Car Championship. Lakeside, Queensland.
Original painting Acrylic on Canvas. Size 1020mm x 710mm. SOLD, private collection.
* For Dick Johnson prints visit http://www.djr.com.au/dicks-collection
Detail of original painting
"We raced as hard as we've ever raced that day, absolutely nose-to-tail and often wheel-to-wheel but no matter what he tried he couldn't get by me. And to his credit he never touched me, though he had plenty of opportunity.
"It was the 'pre-kerb' days back then and with the car understeering so badly from the broken sway bar, all I could do was try and turn it into the corners by cutting across the grass verges on the inside of the track.
"...it was that close we crossed the line together, with the nose of his car alongside my door!
"...Even today I smile when I think about that race. Sure, it meant a lot to me and my career but it was a true one-on-one contest and we both drove our hearts out without resorting to anything underhand."
From Dick Johnson's contribution to the book, "Peter Brock (Ironbark Legends)", publ. 1997 Ironbark by Pan Macmillan Australia Pty. Ltd.
