Iconic Auctioneers in the UK will offer one of the most significant touring cars of the Group A era when the 1987 Dick Johnson Racing Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth is presented at the Iconic Competition Car Sale in Silverstone. Due to commence on July 24, the estimated price it will sell for is between £400,000 and £450,000 (A$770,000-$870,000).

The first of six Sierras built by Dick Johnson Racing, DJR1 marked the start of the team’s most successful touring car period and became one of the red and yellow Shell-backed cars that would help make the RS500 Cosworth a motorsport icon locally and beyond.

Built in Queensland from an imported right-hand drive three-door bodyshell, DJR1 first appeared at Calder Park Raceway in Victoria, where it finished in ninth place, before challenging for the lead at Lakeside Park in Queensland. In its 1987 season, it recorded several pole positions, won Round 5 at Adelaide International Raceway, supporting that year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix, and finished sixth overall in the championship.

6

For 1988, DJR1 was driven by John Bowe, running alongside Dick Johnson in DJR3. Bowe won the Winton and Amaroo rounds in this car, while Johnson went on to win the Australian Touring Car Championship overall, with the Shell Sierras taking eight of the nine rounds.

At the end of 1988, DJR1 was sold to Mike Smith and Robb Gravett’s Trakstar Motorsport in the UK. Gravett campaigned the car in the 1989 British Touring Car Championship, taking four wins and nine podiums on his way to fourth overall.

Today, DJR1 remains a highly original survivor. It retains its original bodyshell, engine, gearbox, back axle, Harrop 9.0-inch rear differential and Eggenberger suspension, and is presented as it would have looked in 1987. Although perfectly preserved, the car has apparently not been run in anger for more than a decade.

11

Nick Whale, Chairman at Iconic Auctioneers, said: “DJR1 is the kind of competition car that speaks to serious collectors and real enthusiasts in equal measure. Its history with Dick Johnson Racing, its later success in the BTCC, and its originality make it a hugely important RS500. Iconic Auctioneers is proud to offer cars of this quality and significance, from much-loved collector cars to landmark competition machinery.”

Bidders are invited to register for the Iconic Competition Car Sale at the BRDC Classic, Silverstone, on 24 July. More details on the car can be found at https://www.iconicauctioneers.com.