New TCM Falcon meets original 1981 Bathurst winner
29 Nov 2021
The 1981 Bathurst-winning XD Falcon has been brought together with its modern Touring Car Masters counterpart in Bathurst.
The two cars were brought together at the National Motor Racing Museum ahead of this weekend’s Repco Bathurst 1000.
It comes as Dick Johnson and his team celebrates 40 years since he and John French won the dramatic 1981 iteration of the Great Race.
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A year before the historic 1981 triumph, Johnson’s Bathurst hopes were shattered when he struck a rock early in the race.
Johnson also won the 1981 drivers’ title, which was his first of five. He also won the Great Race in 1989 and 1994, both with John Bowe.
The original car is currently on display at the museum at Mount Panorama on loan from the Bowden family.
"Standing looking at these two cars, it’s pretty emotional actually," Steven Johnson said.
"It’s the first time the cars have been together.
"It shows the history and to have two cars together that look so similar, even though they are two eras and two different sets of rules – and different sponsors – is incredible.
"Our sponsors have been fantastic in that for a lot of them, their logos are not their style – but they’ve allowed that to happen so it looks very similar to the 1980, 1981 car.
"To look at both of them together is just magnificent.
"Tru-Blu was such a significant car in the history of my family and I remember it being in our garage at Daisy Hill when I was a kid, with Dad working on it.
"It’s really special to get them together like this, 40 years on from that Bathurst moment that was really significant to our family.”
John Bowe leads the TCM series heading into the final round ahead of Ryan Hansford and Marcus Zukanovic. Johnson junior is also a chance at another title.
The 2021 Repco Supercars Championship and Dunlop Series seasons will conclude at the Repco Bathurst 1000.
Every session of the event will be broadcast live on Foxtel (Fox Sports 503) and streamed on Kayo.
The Seven Network will provide live free to air coverage of the event. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
