The winner of the 1981 Bathurst 1000 and a “tru” great of Australian motorsport, John French, has passed away at the age of 94.
French not only drove himself into Great Race history alongside Dick Johnson in the Tru-Blu XD Falcon, but was a touring car veteran from the sixties to the eighties.
In addition to his time at DJR, he became a household name by racing the works Ford Falcon GTHOs alongside Allan Moffat, while he also won the 1962 Australian GT Championship.
French is a famous figure in Australian motorsport and this status is clear with some legends paying some touching tributes.
“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,” Dick and Jillie Johnson wrote in a statement.
“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. A truely great man.”
John French pushing a works Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase 3 to the limit in the 1971 Sandown 250. Image: Auto Action Archives
French was born in Millaa Millaa, Queensland back in 1930 and took part in the very first Phillip Island 500 in 1960 where he recorded a strong top five finish with Norm Beechey.
His first crack at the mountain was 1964 where he finished fifth with Ron Hodgson and he returned in Morris Coopers and Alfa Romeos before his first Ford factory drive in 1971 where he recorded his best ATCC result of sixth.
French got three drives in the Falcon at Mount Panorama and the closest he got to victory during that period was 1972 when he led the Ford brigade and finished second only to Peter Brock in the iconic wet race.
After that followed a strong of five DNFs in an era where it was an achievement to greet the chequered flag, but in 1974 he did start his connection with Johnson in his own Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV.
Six years later they renewed their partnership, now at Dick’s team and the rest is history.
After hitting the rock in heartbreaking fashion in 1980, the pair achieved the ultimate glory a year later.
French had six more cracks at the Great Race and only finished one of the them, but his place in history was undisputed.
The first national championship he competed in he won, being the 1960 Australian GT Championship where he drove a Centaur Waggott to glory around Lakeside.
Auto Action sends its condolences to French’s family and friends.
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