Johnson treats new Mustang to world-first debut
The new Ford Mustang Gen3 Supercar has made its world-first track debut at the hands of Dick Johnson.
The car, which was unveiled on Thursday, was lapped by three-time Bathurst winner Johnson.
Johnson shared the circuit with Greg Murphy, who steered the Gen3 Chevrolet Camaro.
It was the first time since 1999 that Johnson and Murphy had shared a track together.
Murphy won the 1999 Bathurst 1000, which was Johnson’s final Great Race start.
Johnson paired with son Steven to finish fourth in the race.
It brought Johnson full circle somewhat, given he raced Mustangs in Bathurst in the mid-1980s.
Johnson raced a Mustang to fourth with the late Gregg Hansford in 1986.
It’s the third time in recent memory that Johnson has debuted a new Ford Supercar model.
Three years after his retirement, he lapped the BA-model Falcon for the first time in Bathurst in 2002.
Johnson steered the new Mustang Supercar at the 2019 Adelaide 500.
Johnson did the running complete in his iconic yellow, red and white open-face helmet.
Steven and grandson Jett watched on from the Mount Panorama pit lane.
Earlier this year, the three Johnsons cut laps aboard current team Mustangs at Queensland Raceway.
The laps come on the weekend Johnson’s team celebrates its 1000th ATCC/Supercars race.
When asked how the car felt across the top, Johnson replied: “It feels absolutely fantastic.
Murphy, meanwhile, is also making his first Bathurst start since 2014.
The four-time Bathurst winner has been lured out of retirement to race a Boost Mobile-backed Erebus wildcard.
Murphy turned the Camaro laps prior to Thursday’s co-driver session.
“I feel very honoured; I feel honoured just to be here this weekend,” Murphy said.
“This is a huge addition to the whole experience.”
When asked about the car, Murphy said: “Straight out the gate, just how light the car feels.
“The engine, the way it seems to be accelerating, it feels lighter than the Commodore that I drove this morning.
“The driving position, I really love it. I feel very comfortable.
“It feels fantastic."
