TEAM JOHNSON PREVIEW TRU-BLU TCM XD FALCON

Team Johnson releases render of Touring Car Masters XD Falcon – Artwork: Supplied

Here’s a preview of what Steve Johnson’s long-awaited Touring Car Masters XD Falcon will look like when it finally takes to the track next month.

By MARK FOGARTY

This rendering shows the XD’s tribute livery, replicating the look of his famous father Dick’s Tru-Blu Falcon from the early 1980s.

Johnson’s new TCM title defender is scheduled to run for the first time at a special ride day at Lakeside Raceway on the outskirts of Brisbane on February 10.

A full gallery of behind-the-scenes photos of the XD’s build is available here.

The blue four-door Ford is in the final stages of completion at Team Johnson’s race base at Coomera on the Gold Coast.

Dick Johnson has been closely involved in the project, which began in early 2018 with the acquisition of an XD Falcon road car donated by a fan.

The Ford folk hero will get behind the wheel of the Tru-Blu XD-look racer at the Lakeside ride day, taking guests on prized hot laps.

Lakeside is a fitting venue for the TCM XD’s public debut as Dick’s iconic Falcon raced for the first time there on July 20, 1980.

This year is the 40th anniversary of Dick Johnson Racing’s coming of age with the original Tru-Blu XD, which was built from an ex-Queensland police car.

Johnson famously hit a rock while leading the ’80 Bathurst 1000 on lap 17 – ironically, the same as his now glorified racing number – making him a household name.

He was backed by Queensland metal magnate Ross Palmer, who used the sponsorship to promote his Tru-Blu brand of locally made steel products.

Like Dick’s original Group C racer, the TCM tribute car is powered by a 351 cubic inch (5.8 litres) Ford V8, but the car’s design is much more sophisticated.

The bodyshell and suspension have been computer-enhanced by PACE Innovations, which designed the Supercars control chassis.

Switching from the ex-John Bowe Mustang, Steve Johnson will begin his bid for a fourth straight TCM crown at the Adelaide 500 late next month.

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