Third-generation racer Jett Johnson will race in the Touring Car Masters New Zealand round at Hampton Downs as part of the ‘Legends of Speed’ event.
Johnson is set to contest the event in a replica built as a tribute to the famous Anderson brothers Ford XE Falcon raced through the mid-1980s.
A replica was built in 2018 in dedication to the original, which was raced by grandfather Dick in the 1984 Benson & Hedges Endurance Race held at Pukekohe and the inaugural Wellington street race where it was able to run in Group A specification due to unique New Zealand regulations.
Johnson and Bruce Anderson endured a tough campaign ending at Wellington where the Falcon retired after 49 laps due to gearbox problems after scoring pole. The original Falcon was stolen later in its life and never recovered.
Anderson and brother Wayne raced regularly in the 1980s in distinctive yellow Fords as after the Falcon, the pair raced Mustangs featuring backing from their family timber company Pinepac.
Johnson enters this cameo after making his Super3 debut in Newcastle, finishing on the podium in both races.
“I’m super excited to come over and have a steer,” Johnson said.
“Thank you to the Anderson family (Pinepac Racing) for this opportunity, it’s going to be very cool.”
Bruce Anderson was thrilled to welcome another Johnson into the team.
“We’re proud to bring third generation racer Jett over to this weekend’s TCM NZ meeting at Hampton Downs,” he stated.
“Some 40 years ago, I invited his grandfather Dick to co-drive our original XE Falcon in the B&H Enduro and inaugural Wellington street race. Dick excelled behind the wheel, putting the Falcon on pole at Wellington and we expect Jett may likely be able to do the same things in the new car.”