John and his offsider, Lyndon Metcalf, attend 21 major V8 Supercar events every year as contractors to Shell and Konica.

John’s ute tows a petrol pump trailer around the country, while the Ford Explorer that Lyndon drives tows a 2.5 tonne trailer that converts into a winners podium.  It is also jam-packed with Shell and Konica flags, signs, stickers and banners – all necessary equipment to turn any racetrack in Australia into a ‘Shell and Konica’ racetrack.  

 

John labels himself “the oldest hoon in the business”, and it’s not for us to argue.  After all, it’s only half way through the year and his Ford ute has already clocked up 32,000 km.

“I call my bright red XR8 Tickford five litre ute the ‘wonder machine’,” John said.  “You get out on the highway and just cruise.  There’s no problems and it feels good.  The wonder machine has V8 Supercar and Shell signs all over it, and stands out like a red flame as it leads the driver parades and laps of honour at the racetracks.”

Which brings John to the biggest highlight of his career.

“I had the privilege of driving Dick Johnson and his wife, Jill, on his retirement laps of honour around the country last year,” John said.  “Over at the Adelaide 500, it was like we were in a valley with mountains of people on either side.  Thousands of spectators stood up and clapped their hands above their heads.  It was truly amazing, a moment I will never forget.”

So who is John’s favourite driver nowadays?

“I’ve seen Craig Lowndes go from go-carts to the big time, but that Paul Radisich is tenacious – he’s small but deadly,” John said.

Thanks go to:

Elizabeth Stavreska (Graphic Designer) of Multimedia Creations Pty. Ltd for the photo contained in this article.

155 Langridge Street,

Collingwood Vic 3066

Ph: 03 9486 9566, Fax: 03 9486 9322

Email: mmcreate@medianet.com.au

Thanks also go to Sinead McAlary of Ford Australia Communications for his kind permission to reproduce this article.  

Article reproduced from Ford News, Australian Edition, July 2000 Volume 20 No.5, special issue for the 40th birthday of the Falcon.