Bathurst greats return to NZ
PREPARATIONS FOR JANUARY’S LEGENDS OF BATHURST EVENT AT HAMPTON DOWNS IN FULL SWING
The Legends of Bathurst event made its debut at Hampton Downs this year, paying tribute to great names and cars from the folklore of Australia’s “Greatest Race”. And announcements are already rolling out — the first being Dick Johnson and Stone Brothers Racing’s Ross and Jimmy Stone.
Johnson is Australia’s most successful team owner/driver; winning five ATCC titles and three Bathurst 1000 titles himself, with Dick Johnson Racing earning many more victories through drivers such as John Bowe, James Courtney and Scott McLaughlin.
Ross and Jimmy Stone built careers as team manager and engineer — ironically working at DJR in the early 90s — before fostering their own successful team. By 2005 they had won three V8 Supercars championships and a Bathurst 1000 crown.
Stone Brothers Racing’s legacy can also be measured in the number of drivers they mentored, including Jason Bright, Marcos Ambrose, and Shane van Gisbergen.
“Some friends of mine, including Jim Richards, came over to Hampton Downs for the first Legends of Bathurst event and they talked about what a good event it was,” said Ross Stone.
“People around the world have an interest in Bathurst because it’s such a great track and has produced so many classic races.
“I first went to Bathurst in the early 1970s. I was an apprentice mechanic and I didn’t have a lot of money but the guy I was working for shouted me a trip.
“Jim Richards and Rod Coppins finished third that year and I remember promising myself I’d get back there some day because there was something magical about the place.
“To go back and win the race as team manager for Dick Johnson in 1994 and win it with our own team in 1998 was very special.”
It’s hoped that Johnson’s and the Stone Brothers’ presence will be bolstered by some of their former race cars.
In the meantime, a slew of other Bathurst and 90s touring cars are set to make the trip to the Waikato circuit. This includes Paul Radisich’s former Touring Car World Cup-winning Ford Mondeo super touring car and Jim Richards’ John Player Special Group C BMW 635i. They will be driven by Radisich and Richards respectively.
It’s also expected that John Bowe will again be reunited with his 1986 Group A Volvo 240 GT.
The support category line-up includes the Bathurst all-comers class, ENZED Central Muscle Cars, Pre 65s, Formula Ford, and the Historic Touring Car Association. The latter will come with a 23-car grid filled with ex-BTCC super touring cars, Group A cars, and more.