Surfers Paradise: Dick and Steve Johnson to be Grand Marshals

A GUN AND HIS SON ARE THE GRAND MARSHALS AT NIKON SUPERGP

Queensland motorsport icon Dick Johnson and his son Steve have been named joint Grand Marshals for next weekend's Nikon SuperGP on the Gold Coast.

Dick, a five-time national touring car champion and three-time Bathurst winner, and Steve, one of the leading drivers in the V8 Supercar category, which will take centre stage at this year's event.

The naming of the pair comes on the same day it has been announced that Johnson will head a list of Australian motorsport legends in a specially created category on the streets of Surfers Paradise.

The Australian Legends category will bring together some of the biggest names and some of the most famous cars in Australian touring car history.

The category was created after the withdrawal of the A1GP cars on Saturday morning and is already proving a big hit with fans.

Dick Johnson raced on the streets of Surfers Paradise many times before his retirement and is looking forward to a big involvement this weekend.

"There is nothing like the SuperGP weekend," said Johnson.

"It really is unique to Australian motorsport and, as a Queenslander, I am honoured to be named as the Grand Marshal alongside Steve.

"Now that the Australian Legends category has been announced both myself and Steve will be having a blast around this weekend and I am looking forward to all the other fun and activities."

Steve will be one of the most experienced drivers on the Surfers Paradise circuit next weekend, when the V8 Supercars contest four 150km events.

The 600km total will give race fans more V8 on-track action than anywhere else except Bathurst.

"I understand the significance of being named Grand Marshal at this event and to be named in a joint role with dad makes this all the more special for me," said Steve.

"Both Dad and I are massive fans of the Surfers Paradise event and despite its recent hiccup with the no-show of the A1GP cars, it is strong enough to survive and remain one of the real highlights of the V8 Supercar calendar.

"I cannot wait to get out there at the weekend in my Jim Beam Falcon and also in one of Dad's old cars. I know Dad is as equally excited."

Nikon SuperGP General Manager, Greg Hooton, welcomed the Johnsons into the official mix of this year's 19th annual event.

"When it comes to of the two biggest icons in Queensland motorsport, this event and Dick Johnson are right up there and we are delighted that Dick has accepted our invitation to be Grand Marshal along with Steve," said Hooton.

"We have Sir Jack Brabham, his son Geoff and grandson Matthew as our number 1-2-3- ticket holders and now it is great to have the Johnson family part of the mix.

"I am really looking forward to seeing Dick and Steve driving a couple of Dick's legendary Falcons this weekend -- it is going to be one hell of a show."

The Australian Legends category will be on track for one session each of the four days of the event and there will be a special parade for all the drivers and cars on both Saturday and Sunday.

-credit: supergp.com