Dick Johnson will spend his 70th birthday today convalescing after recent major surgery.
Complications from hip and knee replacements immediately following the previous V8 Supercars event at Symmons Plains last month have put a damper on celebrations for the five-times Australian Touring Car and three-times Bathurst champion.
Johnson will also be forced to miss the next round as the DJR Team Penske outfit continues to rebuild with Scott Pye remaining at the wheel of the #17 in place of Marcos Ambrose.
DJR Team Penske has also elected to put celebrations for the touring car icon on hold until he recovers fully.
“It’s been a horrendous time but it’s all coming good,” Johnson told Speedcafe.com
“I’m looking forward to getting back up and about again that’s for sure but I won’t be in Perth.”
Secure your spot today.
The operations have come just ahead of Johnson’s landmark birthday although he has never seen the sense in celebrating such occasions.
“I never make a big deal out of birthdays anyway,” Johnson said.
“And I spent my 21st in the army,” he added, referring to the time he carried out National Service at the same time as Peter Brock in the 1960s.
Discussion about this post