Johnson and Moffat driving together

Rivals, and champions, of the 1970s and 1980s Dick Johnson and Allan Moffat now have their sons driving for the same team, run by Johnson.

Up-and-coming James Moffat, 26, will race a Jim Beam Falcon in the Clipsal 500 Adelaide this weekend, his team-mate being Steve Johnson, at 36, a seasoned campaigner with the outfit.

Moffat Jnr has earned the drive in the top level of the sport after doing well in the Fujitsu development series for V8 Supercars.

The sons can only hope to get some of the achievements of their fathers ... Allan Moffat was four times Australian Touring Car Champion, had 36 race wins, 52 podiums, 39 poles and four Bathurst race victories. Dick Johnson was five-times champion, had 30 race wins, 65 podiums, 27 poles and won at  Bathurst three times.

Moffat Snr says that creates an issue for James as people will expect him to live up to the surname when he has to make his own way.

Allan Moffat has determined to be at the Adelaide race and then not attend any more this year.

"I'll be hiding at the back of the garage this weekend," he said. "I don't want to be a distraction for the team," Moffat added of the autograph hunters who appear wherever he does. He said James had got to where he is ("this crossroads in his career, an opportunity of a lifetime") by hard work.

"It's all been his doing; he's worked his backside off in every category of racing he's been in," Moffat said.

Moffat Snr said the closeness of competition was now far greater than in his day, exemplified by lap timing - "in our day, girls on stop-watches timed to a tenth of a second and now they go to four decimal points because that  can make the difference in a lap time."

Moffat said he and Dick Johnson while track rivals always respected each other.

"We never had a scrape between us," he said. "And I can't say that about everyone in pit lane then."

Dick Johnson said he had full confidence in James and Steven to perform well.

James Moffat said his surname had been a help and a hindrance.

"It's meant publicity for me, which I've grabbed with both hands," he said. "At the same time the surname does bring extra expectation. Dad was so successful and it's not something I can do overnight."

Their Jim Beam Falcons were among the 28 V8 Supercar Championship racers unloaded into the pit garages at Victoria Park in yesterday's set-up day. Track action for support categories has begun. The championship V8s take to the track tomorrow (Thursday) for their practice sessions ahead of the 250km, 78-lap race of the 3.22km street circuit on Saturday and again on Sunday.