A special episode on today’s Crimsafe Endurance Countdown – a look at 40 years of 1000km racing at Mount Panorama.

Prior to 1973 the ‘Great Race’ was run over 500 miles, then a change to 1000km brought new challenges to the teams and drivers.

1973 also the marked the debut of one of this country’s great drivers – Dick Johnson. That year the man who would go onto become a Ford hero teamed with Bob Forbes in a Holden Torana GTR XU-1 to finish fifth on debut.

Over the years Johnson has experienced the highs and lows, including ‘The Rock’ in 1980, victory in ’81 then a trip into the trees in 1983. Two more race wins in 1989 and ’94 with John Bowe well and truly marked his place as a Mount Panorama legend.

The three-time Bathurst winner shares his memories of 1973, plus the evolution of what is now the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Crimsafe Endurance Countdown 2013 – Episode 7 – 40 years of 1000km racing at Bathurst

Crimsafe Endurance Countdown 2013 – Episode 6 – Brad Jones Racing

Crimsafe Endurance Countdown 2013 – Episode 5 – Fujitsu Racing GRM

Crimsafe Endurance Countdown 2013 – Episode 4 – Nissan Motorsport

Crimsafe Endurance Countdown 2013 – Episode 3 – Tekno Autosports

Crimsafe Endurance Countdown 2013 – Episode 2 – Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport

Crimsafe Endurance Countdown 2013 – Episode 1 – Dick Johnson Racing