Johnson pays tribute to late French

1981 Bathurst 1000 winner John French has passed away aged 94.

French played an important role in the early days of Dick Johnson Racing, serving as DJR's inaugural Bathurst co-driver from 1980-1982.

French had been a long-time touring car competitor in Queensland and nationally throughout the 1960s and 1970s, making regular appearances at the Bathurst 1000 in a range of cars from Morris Coopers, to Alfa Romeos, to Group C Fords and Nissans.

French was also a member of the all-conquering Ford Motor Company of Australia factory team of the late 1960s and early 1970s, driving the mighty GTHO Falcons at Bathurst and Sandown.

French drove a Phase I GTHO to victory at the 1969 Sandown 3 Hour (which later became the 500) alongside Allan Moffat, and finished fifth in a factory Phase III GTHO at the 1971 Bathurst 500.

French also drove a privateer Phase III GTHO to second at the wet 1972 Bathurst 500, the first of Peter Brock's nine Bathurst victories.

French first joined forces with Johnson in 1978 in a Bryan Byrt Falcon XC, before reuniting with his fellow Queenslander as he started his own team in 1980.

A potential victory in DJR's first attempt at Bathurst came undone following Johnson's infamous run-in with 'The Rock', however luck was on their side in 1981.

Johnson and French claimed victory in an infamously shortened race following a track-blocking pile-up at McPhillamy Park, atoning for the heartbreak of 12 months prior.

Both Dick and Jill Johnson shared a heartfelt tribute on social media this morning, praising French as a 'core pillar of the foundation of our team'.

Tribute from Dick and Jill Johnson:

It is with a heavy heart that we share with you that a core pillar of the foundation of our team, a legend of the sport and true friend passed away last night.

John French was a Ford Factory Driver and leant credibility and mountains of experience to Jillie (or Julie as John called her) and me, Dyno and Roy as we put it all on the line to go racing under our own banner.

John, who we all affectionately called JC, was the oldest bloke to ever win the Bathurst 1000, when he shared the car with me in 1981. Only to be later pipped to second oldest in 2002 by only a few weeks, something he was never able to forgive Jim Richards for!

As far as I’m concerned, he was a very underrated driver and he always shared the mantle with the likes of Moffat, Geoghegan, Gibson, Bond and Brock. I looked up to him and admired him. Safe to say that I was humbled and honoured when he agreed to co-drive with me!

Over my career, I was lucky to share the car with some incredible drivers and racers, but to me JC was always the best team mate I ever had. And I’ve had some very special ones!

Queenslander, Car Dealer, The Man from Prudential, Bathurst 1000 Winner, Australian GT Champion, Ford Factory Driver, Foundation Member of Dick Johnson Racing, Legend and Friend.

Vale John French.

Please share your thoughts and well wishes to John’s son Geoff and his entire family and friends in memory of a truly great man.

- Dick and Jillie Johnson