Brian is racing in his 1970 Royale RP4 and also his Pilbeam.

Pictures thanks to Rick Wilson at www.raw-footage.com

Brenda Johnson racing at Road Atlanta

Pictures thanks to Andrew

AC/DC's Johnson plagued by gremlins

WATKINS GLEN | Brian Johnson, the vocalist for iconic rock band AC/DC, spent the weekend with his wife Brenda at Watkins Glen International for the Chemung Canal Trust Historic Races, but not as a spectator.

Johnson was racing his very rare Royale RP-4, which was introduced in 1970 and is one of only 12 British-made cars in existence.

The Royale was built by upstarts in an engineering company who felt they could build a better machine than the auto manufacturers.

However, Sunday the Royale wasn't at its peak.

"We haven't run very well here this weekend," Johnson said. "We've had a carburetor problem, but we're trying some new carburetors out. It's like anything else. It takes time to get the kinks worked out, so we're a little off the pace."

In Sunday's Rolex Vintage enduro race, Johnson was 21 laps off the pace, finishing 37th in a 44-car field.

"I think we should have left the old carburetors on, but if you leave everything the same, you're not going forward," he said. "We're trying new things to make ourselves competitive."

Brenda Johnson's pace was considerably better as she finished 27th in a 1957 Austin Healey Sprite. This is the first time since 1998 the Johnsons have raced at The Glen.

Brian Johnson and AC/DC released a new studio album in that time and have been touring. But he wasn't going to miss an opportunity to race in Schuyler County this weekend.

"The history of this race and this course are the best, especially the gut-wrenching turns," Johnson said. "I just love this track and the town. It's just gorgeous and everyone is so friendly. I never hear anyone say a bad thing about this place."

Report by Chris Gill www.the-leader.com

31st Oct - 3rd Nov 2002
WorldCom Group 1: 1. Brian Johnson, 1970 Royale; 2. James Roberts, 1967 Austin Healey Sprite; 3. Maynard (Duke) Soares, 1972 Mallock Mk11.

Related Links
http://www.news-journalonline.com/2002/Nov/4/SPDOTH3.htm http://www.hsrrace.com/events_daytona2.htm
www.raw-footage.com

Historic Sportscar Racing