Book Review - Dick Johnson Autobiography

RikBiel · 07-09-2013, 09:47 PM

Just finished reading a fantastic book.
Very entertaining read and highly recommended to anybody even slightly interested in Australian motorsports.

What a true Aussie champion and legend.
Talk about a never say die attitude. Bloody brilliant.

Some good stories from the Johnson/Brock era.

I remember meeting Dick at a PR/signing event for Shell many years ago - probably mid 90's.

Great guy

nb_351 · 07-09-2013, 10:43 PM

I bought it for my father in law for Father's Day he loved it
I think ill buy it myself soon I had a squiz through looks good

RikBiel · 07-09-2013, 10:51 PM

Mine's was a fathers Day present too.
I was only 9 when Dick hit the Rock.
Too young to know about donating.
Was moving to hear how the Aussie public got behind him.

The thing I liked reading about was the interaction with Brock.
Fierce rivals on the track but not so much off the track.
Lots of media beat up back then I guess to sensationalise it all.
Great reading.

nb_351 · 07-09-2013, 11:19 PM

Yeah none of the flakiness of drivers now
Put everything behind them
And back when cars were sold based on what happened on the track, ford and Holden had a lot to advertise for

RikBiel · 08-09-2013, 12:23 AM

Yep. I'm enjoying watching some early '80s Bathurst clips on you tube.
(I have my 6 DVD boxset coming in the mail)

Not taking anything away from today's drivers - but man look at what the drivers dealt with in the past. Tonnes of power without so much of today's safety. Brave and ballsy courage doesn't even begin to describe it. Tru Blu True Grit !
The cars were fire breathing monsters!
The tracks - normal roads with grass growing on them!

The likes of Johnson, Brock and Grice - before them Moffat etc - absolute Legends of the sport and pioneers in every way.
And all good blokes - and mates - seems like it was very much heart on your sleeve and tell it like it is. No bull.
Not so conniving as the modern day where everybody is out for #1.
Maybe it was in it's way but it's nice to think not so much as today.

Looking forward to getting my Bathurst boxset

I'm 42 and rediscovering the classic ATCC and Bathurst of the late 70's early '80's from when I was 10 or so. I have Dick and his book to thank for rekindling my interest and reminding me of all of that. Enjoying the nostalgia!!

castellan · 09-09-2013, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RikBiel

Yep. I'm enjoying watching some early '80s Bathurst clips on you tube.
(I have my 6 DVD boxset coming in the mail)

Not taking anything away from today's drivers - but man look at what the drivers dealt with in the past. Tonnes of power without so much of today's safety. Brave and ballsy courage doesn't even begin to describe it. Tru Blu True Grit !
The cars were fire breathing monsters!
The tracks - normal roads with grass growing on them!

The likes of Johnson, Brock and Grice - before them Moffat etc - absolute Legends of the sport and pioneers in every way.
And all good blokes - and mates - seems like it was very much heart on your sleeve and tell it like it is. No bull.
Not so conniving as the modern day where everybody is out for #1.
Maybe it was in it's way but it's nice to think not so much as today.

Looking forward to getting my Bathurst boxset

I'm 42 and rediscovering the classic ATCC and Bathurst of the late 70's early '80's from when I was 10 or so. I have Dick and his book to thank for rekindling my interest and reminding me of all of that. Enjoying the nostalgia!!

Yes Grice would be a real good one, i found him to be a lot more indepth to talk to that the rest and speaks his mind without fear and their is more to him than just cars.

smciner1 · 09-09-2013, 06:30 PM

A great read. A very interesting Life.

kiwiinaus · 10-09-2013, 12:34 PM

written like he was at the pub telling the story to mates over a beer or two. great read.

351capri · 08-09-2013, 11:54 AM

great book highly recommended to anyone interested in aus motorsports. was fortunate enough to attend an evening where dick spoke for an hour or so then took questions from the audience, then met him , got some photos and got the book signed. the guy is funny as and is a true legend in every sense of the word.