Today's Birthday, April 26

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2007
Today's Birthday, April 26

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Today's birthday April 26: Dick Johnson, Australian motorcar driver (1945-)

Dick Johnson is a legendary figure in motor sport, rising to prominence in the 1980s
by winning five Australian touring car championships and taking out Bathurst three times.

Born on April 26, 1954 in Queensland, Johnson started driving with his father as a young child.

He started racing in the 1970s, but his career hit a roadblock in 1980 when he crashed
into a rock that had rolled onto the track while racing in Bathurst.

Fortunately, motor racing fans across Australia rallied to donate money to help Johnson
rebuild his car.

The following year, he won the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) and took
out the Bathurst 1000 for the first time.

He won the ATCC again in 1982 and 1984, establishing a strong following with racing fans.

In 1987, Johnson entered into a multi-million dollar deal with Shell Oil and in 1989,
he raced with NASCAR in America, staying for two years.

Returning home, Johnson placed second in the Winfield Triple Challenge and the Bathurst
1000 in 1992.

In 1994, Johnson won the Bathurst 1000 for the third and final time with his driving
partner John Bowe.

Johnson's work off the track was recognised in 1997 when he was awarded the Member
of the Order of Australia for his services to motorsport and charities.

Johnson retired from motorsport in 1999, saying his career had seen many changes in
the sport, including the way it had become big business.

It was a change he made the most of, appearing in ads for Shell Helix and setting up
Dick Johnson racing.

AAP sg/jjs

KEYWORD: TODAY'S BIRTHDAY 26/4

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