Dick Johnson was 18 when he watched the inaugural Bathurst 1000 in 1963 and made his debut on the observe a decade later.
He would go on to race 27 occasions at Mount Panorama-Wahluu, claiming victory in 1981, 1989 and 1994.
“Every time you drive over the Blue Mountains and you see Mount Panorama it brings back a lot of memories because it is such an iconic place,” Johnson mentioned.
Johnson is remembered for a lot of Bathurst moments, none larger than his battles with “King of the Mountain”, nine-time Bathurst 1000 winner Peter Brock, and the 1980 occasion when, main, he collided with a rock that had rolled onto the observe, ending his race however cementing him because the Bathurst battler within the hearts of motor racing followers.
Johnson retired from driving in 1999 however maintained his presence within the sport because the proprietor of Dick Johnson Racing, which received its first Bathurst title in 2019.
Johnson mentioned the game had modified significantly throughout his 50 years of involvement.
“We used to spend many hours at midnight building the cars,” he mentioned.
“I used to make the engine, the gearbox, then do the suspension on the racetrack.
“It was solely the 2 of us however we managed and I’ve loved all of it.
“There has been good, there’s been bad and there’s been ugly — but I’ve loved it.”
Lowndes marks 30 years on the mountain
This weekend seven-time Bathurst champion Craig Lowndes will make his thirtieth look on the occasion, which he first competed in in 1994.
“As a driver you never know how long you are going to have the opportunity, so to be here for a 30th time is pretty special,” he mentioned.
“I grew up coming to this track as a teenager and loving it, wanting to be part of it, so for me this is our grand final — a race that you always want to win.”
Five-time winner Garth Tander mentioned competing at Bathurst was one of the pinnacles of Australian sport.
“We are a mad sporting nation and there are a few events that really capture the imagination of the population, like the Melbourne Cup, AFL Grand Final, Boxing Day Test, State of Origin, and Bathurst,” he mentioned.
Tander mentioned the sensation of racing on the mountain was unmatched by every other circuit on the planet.
“When you drive into the town itself and you see that Mount Panorama sign it always makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up,” he mentioned.
“I think why Bathurst is so special is the history of this race and those that have had success here in the past, so to be a small part of that is a real honour.”
From the Great Depression to razzamatazz
Motorsport historian Steve Normoyle mentioned the street, which was opened in 1938, was by no means meant to be a race observe.
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“The circuit itself has been there since the late 1930s,” he mentioned.
“It was constructed as half of the state authorities’s Great Depression-busting public works program, initially as a scenic drive.
“Now it’s a mecca for motorsport and is among the many prime three tracks on the planet for spectacular surroundings, velocity, issue and hazard.”
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The cars have changed dramatically over the 60 years — the race began as a way to test everyday vehicles.
“It was meant to be a cell endurance efficiency take a look at of the vehicles that we drive on the street — that was the only purpose for the factor taking place within the first place,” Normoyle mentioned.
“That has simply utterly gone — it’s now an enormous razzamatazz sporting occasion with the vehicles bearing no resemblance to street autos.”
The Bathurst 1000 begins at 11:15am AEDT on Sunday.
