Johnson/Brock - Front row at Sandown.......

[racer69]

Time for another light hearted thread

I'm sure most of us would have heard the story trotted out by DJ over the years about the day Brock & he were on the front row at Sandown waiting for the green light when they were 'distracted' by a female fan leaning over the fence to watch the start.... but which race meeting was it?

It is mentioned during the 1984 Bathurst broadcast, so happened before then, and as Johnson only came on the scene full-time in 1981, presumebly there is the timeframe it happened in.


They shared the front row quite a few times in the intervening years, so did it happen at the 1981 ATCC round, the 1981 Hang-Ten 400, 1982 ATCC round, 1982 Castrol 400, 1983 Castrol 400, 1984 ATCC round or the 1984 Castrol 500?

Or was it the time they both raced against the Vitabrit?

[PVDA]

Originally Posted by racer69

Or was it the time they both raced against the Vitabrit?

John "Slug" Harvey in the Vitabrit filmed at Sandown.

Did a quick Google & YouTube search but no one has posted it anywhere I could find.

[Wrighty05]

Ok. Dick's part of the story says also that they got blown away off the line.

I have the 1982 and 1983 Sandowns, 1984 ATCC and 500 on DVD.

1982 S400 Brock led into 1st corner.

1983 S400 - Brock led - Johnson got the jump then stripped 2nd gear

1984 ATCC - Brock and Johnson both got good jumps

1984 S500 - Both got blinder from 2nd row to lead into turn 1.

In most instances the start is covered by the camera at the bottom of the straight in turn 1, so it's hard to tell.

But there certainly wasn't a race in those instances that they both muffed the start and got blown away. Maybe Dick just added that bit of the story for effect!

[thunderbolt]

i remember that it was on peter brock this is your life on 9

[gab73]

I have the 81 Hang Ten 400, Johnson leads Brock into the first corner, so it wasn't then.

[Gaz170]

wedederd8yofouihy10

[Gaz170]

10yfhdfc

[aussieracer]

?????????????????

[Muznik]

In PB Icons of Aust Sport - Dick didnt mention the year however he did state it was prior to starting lights and the race was started by a hand waved flag.

Dont know if that helps narrow it down any ?

[Wrighty05]

Well then Victorian Premier John Cain waved the flag at the start of the 1984 Sandown 500!

[racer69]

The story changed over the years as well, it is mentioned in the 1984 Bathurst broadcast that they "almost missed the start", whilst later on in interviews he says they were last into the first corner!!

Either way the place to look is on the inside of the track, as the outside spectating areas then (as now) were miles from the side of the track.

[Muznik]

Originally Posted by racer69

The story changed over the years as well, it is mentioned in the 1984 Bathurst broadcast that they "almost missed the start", whilst later on in interviews he says they were last into the first corner!!

Either way the place to look is on the inside of the track, as the outside spectating areas then (as now) were miles from the side of the track.

In the Icon Book, DJ says it was a female flaggy wearing (well almost wearing) white press stud overalls

[Gaz170]

Originally Posted by Gaz170

10yfhdfc

Sorry, 4yo son's been at the computer again

[panel damage]

I remember hearing this story a few times over the years, I thought it was an ATCC round not the 400/500 etc. Im also not certain it was Sandown.

Will see if I can find where I last saw it and get back to you.

Hey Gaz170 - I just thought that was some kinda code I've spent a week trying to figure out it meant.

[panel damage]

FOUND IT!!!

Just found the DVD of the Peter Brock - this is your life where Dicky and Seto come on. Dick tells the story, its a woman flag marshall , and it is sandown, but no more detials on year etc. Both on front row and one of them ended up winning it. I still think it must have been an ATCC round.

[MPA]

OK. Now the next question.....Who was the flag marshal? Could she still be around? Early 80s I was still on the other side of the fence, but I've met a few that have been around since then.

I know there's a lot of old vics in here who could help....Large cupped vic flaggie chick?.....Hmmmmmmmm.

[panel damage]

from what was said it was more a case of nice looking not having her overalls done up all the way.

[PVDA]

Originally Posted by MPA

I know there's a lot of old vics in here who could help....

Pre dates the formation of the VFT and being a gentleman** prevents me from naming names publicly

Perhaps a discussion could be had at the upcoming "400" MPA at the venue in question.

** Others may disagree (and you can keep your mouths shut about it on here) but my mum reckons I am so it must be true.

[mountainstar]

All this is useless without pics.

[dmcl]

Originally Posted by MPA

OK. Now the next question.....Who was the flag marshal? Could she still be around? Early 80s I was still on the other side of the fence, but I've met a few that have been around since then.

I know there's a lot of old vics in here who could help....Large cupped vic flaggie chick?.....Hmmmmmmmm.

Hmmmmm, have an idea, but wont mention names on here, perhaps I will ask Roger with the worn out bush hat the question when I see him at Historic Winton. MPA, I have a hunch, will pm you....

[racer69]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

All this is useless without pics.

If we knew which race it was maybe there would be pics