The generosity of Dick Johnson.

Dr Smith · 10-09-2010, 02:38 PM

Driving past Sandown racetrack during the week I suddenly remembered the time I visited a Saturday practise session with my brother, back when Dick Johnson was racing his Sierra Cosworth.

The public were allowed to walk behind the pit area in between the trucks/transporters and the practise session had finished with Dick Johnson having some trouble and the rumour spreading that his team were going to strip down his engine. We raced to his pit area and saw the car being worked on. Behind me I heard a young child absolutely bawling his eyes out and a father with 2 other sons trying hard to calm him down. With no luck what so ever.

Suddenly I noticed Dick Johnson walking towards my brother and I. The father and young sons had their backs to Dick. By the time DJ was 2 steps behind the crying boy was about to explode his face was so red and I realised he was asking for his missing cap. DJ suddenly stopped beside them and asked the farther what was up? The father explained his son has lost his cap and they wouldn’t be able to replace it. So DJ said “here young fella, have mine”. DJ asked if he would like it signed and then asked the father they had better take a photo to show his friends.

The young boy instantly stopped crying although I think the father might have shed a small tear of gratitude. Needles to say, many of us obervers felt all “warm and fuzzy” inside as well.

A great moment of generosity as I also now remember my Grandfather once saying “it costs you nothing to be nice”…well in this case maybe it cost DJ a cap but the rewards or memories are priceless.

**Peuty** · 10-09-2010, 02:41 PM

Yep, Dick Johnson, the most awesome man ever, this side of Chuck Yeager.

sgt_doofey · 10-09-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

Yep, Dick Johnson, the most awesome man ever, this side of Chuck Yeager.

For a second there, I thought your were going to say Chuck Norris...

**Polyal** · 10-09-2010, 02:48 PM

Thats a great story.

Speaking of DJR, does anyone know where I can get a "DJR" sticker from? Without the beam logos etc, just the corporate logo.

FPV8U · 10-09-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Thats a great story.

Speaking of DJR, does anyone know where I can get a "DJR" sticker from? Without the beam logos etc, just the corporate logo.

If you find the logo online take it on file or email it to a Signwriter they should be able to knock something up for you.

**Polyal** · 10-09-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV8U

If you find the logo online take it on file or email it to a Signwriter they should be able to knock something up for you.

Yeah good point, I was hoping that it would be on their site so they atleast get the money though. Strange Ive never seen one and reckon they would sell alright.

**ebxr8240** · 10-09-2010, 03:17 PM

Similar with my children... They gun for him to do well even now they are in there 20's..
At Oran, Amaroo parks & Eastern Creek latter..

**Peuty** · 10-09-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV8U

If you find the logo online take it on file or email it to a Signwriter they should be able to knock something up for you.

Or do the right thing and order it from DJR themselves.

I have one on the back of my car. They aren't dear at all.

Velociraptor82 · 10-09-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

Yep, Dick Johnson, the most awesome man ever, this side of Chuck Yeager.

x2

Dick and his Sierra have always been my hero since I first started to follow racing. I think much of his generosity to his fans comes from the generosity of the public after "the rock incident". He would never refuse to give an autograph unlike some of the drivers today.

vztrt · 10-09-2010, 06:19 PM

They guy is a legend. That's why I support him and his team.

302 XC · 10-09-2010, 06:26 PM

The minister grew up around lakeside(QLD), as her dad was someone of importance there
(Cant remember exactly what)
They were there every lakeside meet and one thing she always says was DJ always took time out for the fans
Not like the other bloke from the red corner (mentioning his name,results in a night in the dog house)

FPV8U · 10-09-2010, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

I have one on the back of my car. They aren't dear at all.

Are they advertised on their site?

Sizes?
How much?

GULL · 10-09-2010, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Thats a great story.

Speaking of DJR, does anyone know where I can get a "DJR" sticker from? Without the beam logos etc, just the corporate logo.

i dont think its on there site,call them,i picked up my sticker when the v8's were out at ipswich for $10.

meteoriTE · 10-09-2010, 08:47 PM

All I can say is that he is probably the last true gentlemen of the sport. Absolutely brilliant bloke & has never forgotten where he's from(nothing's to much of a problem for him even in darkest hours)if there was was more people like him in the sport, I might have a bit more interest in it (plus the only differnce in the cars was a badge)

**Peuty** · 10-09-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV8U

Are they advertised on their site?

Sizes?
How much?

No idea. Give the race shop a call. Very helpful and they'd be more than happy to help you out with whatever you need/want. The size I have is the medium one I think, but there is one size larger I'm pretty sure.

1TUFFUTE · 10-09-2010, 10:55 PM

yeah im a huge believer and massaive fan of djr. Just to even things out a bit...lol...i remember a few years ago at a signing day...there was a huge line up and to cut the lines down or something he refused or was saying that only people who bought merch on the day could get them signed. I remember that upset a few people to the max....but i spose everyone has there moments haha...all good love the man

**98TLS** · 10-09-2010, 11:00 PM

Nice story,cheers for sharing.At 47 years old i am a tad past heros but

just between you and me

hes a good bugger eh.

**ego gtp** · 10-09-2010, 11:02 PM

i remember when i was young my best mates dad ran the front gate at sandown and we would go with him back in the early days peter brock wasin the malboro team and his pits was all fenced off we walked past dicks pits and he was standing with his wife it was a stinking hot day and he invited us in to his trailor and offered us a cold drink from that day i followed fords cheers gary

1TUFFUTE · 10-09-2010, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ego gtp

i remember when i was young my best mates dad ran the front gate at sandown and we would go with him back in the early days peter brock wasin the malboro team and his pits was all fenced off we walked past dicks pits and he was standing with his wife it was a stinking hot day and he invited us in to his trailor and offered us a cold drink from that day i followed fords cheers gary

AWEEEESOME...

pottery beige · 10-09-2010, 11:21 PM

and the time i bumped into DJ he was a cranky old ****...... that POS mustang would have given anyone the shits.......

pottery beige · 10-09-2010, 11:24 PM

wow.. you cant say t u r d... but you can say shits....

atec77 · 10-09-2010, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Driving past Sandown racetrack during the week I suddenly remembered the time I visited a Saturday practise session with my brother, back when Dick Johnson was racing his Sierra Cosworth.

The public were allowed to walk behind the pit area in between the trucks/transporters and the practise session had finished with Dick Johnson having some trouble and the rumour spreading that his team were going to strip down his engine. We raced to his pit area and saw the car being worked on. Behind me I heard a young child absolutely bawling his eyes out and a father with 2 other sons trying hard to calm him down. With no luck what so ever.

Suddenly I noticed Dick Johnson walking towards my brother and I. The father and young sons had their backs to Dick. By the time DJ was 2 steps behind the crying boy was about to explode his face was so red and I realised he was asking for his missing cap. DJ suddenly stopped beside them and asked the farther what was up? The father explained his son has lost his cap and they wouldn’t be able to replace it. So DJ said “here young fella, have mine”. DJ asked if he would like it signed and then asked the father they had better take a photo to show his friends.

The young boy instantly stopped crying although I think the father might have shed a small tear of gratitude. Needles to say, many of us obervers felt all “warm and fuzzy” inside as well.

A great moment of generosity as I also now remember my Grandfather once saying “it costs you nothing to be nice”…well in this case maybe it cost DJ a cap but the rewards or memories are priceless.

I shared a trip from near his home to the Brisbane airport with Dick and found him at the time to be a little tired and cranky as we discussed the gelatine turbo in his ford at the time , genuine and pleasant certainly imho the rep is pretty genuine .He was as I recal he was going some where in Asia at the time

Mickxr8 · 10-09-2010, 11:53 PM

I remember many `beers` ago when sir DJ was racing at barbargello in his sierra we could allways walk up to his `tent pit area` and he would be there chatting,shaking hands,signing autographs etc(and working on his car). just such a nice bloke !..
(i`ve tried to find the pics that i took that day but i think i`ve filed them way back in the wardrobe)

anyhows. the guys a legend in my opinion

ZH_302 · 11-09-2010, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV8U

Are they advertised on their site?

Sizes?
How much?

Not sure if they sell them anymore. Not advertised on the site, but give Sue a call at the raceshop. Phone number is on their site.

If you become a Team Mate they give you these though

Pedro · 11-09-2010, 12:37 AM

Yes, Dick has always been there for his fans. If you stayed around after a race meeting he was always there signing autographs well after others had gone. One of natures gentlemen.

xbrules · 11-09-2010, 12:53 AM

I met DJ this year at the Bowden's open day in May, top bloke, both him and Frenchy. even got my glove box lid signed by him for my Greens Tuf project. Great respect for him and his racing career.

xbrules · 11-09-2010, 01:13 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mqzWkzzYRw Here's a great clip from 1981 done by ABC. It is a must for any DJR fan. I originally posted it in the Surviving XD &XE race cars thread

GULL · 11-09-2010, 01:34 AM

Nice vid

1TUFFUTE · 11-09-2010, 02:58 AM

ditto...i just spent an hour watching that vid ,,,,which led me to others...haha

tweeked · 11-09-2010, 02:46 PM

True gentleman everytime I've been around him, when I was 12, and when I was 42