In 1983, an emotional Dick Johnson received a standing ovation as he took his place on the Bathurst 1000 grid after somehow recovering from one of Mount Panorama’s worst crashes.

Thirty years later Johnson will be praying for another miracle after history repeated itself on Friday for all the wrong reasons.

Dick Johnson Racing (DJR)’s lead driver Chaz Mostert was reduced to the role of frustrated spectator as V8 Supercars defending champion Jamie Whincup grabbed provisional pole after the Ford young gun spectacularly crashed at practice on Friday.

But the one doing it really tough was team boss Johnson who must have had a sense of deja vu as Mostert’s Falcon limped back into the pits boasting his trademark ‘Green Meanie’ colours.

DJR’s two Fords have adopted Johnson’s 1983 design for Sunday’s Great Race to mark 30 years since Johnson first donned his now trademark design at the mountain.

Unfortunately it also marks 30 years since Johnson crashed out in Bathurst qualifying, hitting trees at 150kph and forcing his crew to launch a frantic 24 hour search for a new vehicle ahead of the Great Race.

History shows his team somehow prepared a new Falcon in time for the 1983 race start – but only just.

Legend has it the green paint job was still wet as Johnson brought the crowd, rivals and officials to their feet as he lined up for the race start in stirring scenes.

And it seems the stars will again need to align for Johnson after Mostert ricocheted off the concrete wall twice near Reid Park after sitting pretty as fourth fastest at final practice before qualifying.

Mostert received the all clear from medical staff but his Falcon is on life support after the crash that the Ford young gun put down to driver error.

“Make a mistake around here and it’ll cost you pretty big,” said Mostert.

“Lucky it’s only practice today and hopefully they can get it fixed for the race.

“Hopefully I can do a good enough job for the DJR boys.

“Obviously pretty heartbroken for those guys now. They work hard, (and put their) sweat and tears for me and I feel really bad for them.”

Asked about the 30th anniversary of Johnson’s crash, Mostert said: “I guess the livery (Johnson’s 1983 design) is a mirror image this year – hopefully we can get back out there (like him).”

Coincidentally DJR’s 1983 replacement vehicle took pride of place outside their pits on Friday.

One wag yelled out as Mostert’s Falcon was wheeled in for repairs: “Is it too late to use the old girl behind you”.