LOCATION: BRISBANE, QLD
Motorsport has always been about more than just engine noise and lap times—it is about community, family and preserving the stories that bring us together. For me, that connection runs deep into the soil of Australian speedway history.
Official event promotional flyer featuring author Jocelyn Dare at the Historic Speedway Spectacular 9th July 2024. (Source: Jocelyn Dare Archives)
My father, Ron "Big Bad Johno" Johnson, was a giant in every sense of the word. Standing 6’5” with a heart of pure gold, he was a Royal Australian Navy WWII veteran who took those war machines and turned his Vincent sidecars into a legendary spectacle at the Brisbane Exhibition Speedway. Growing up, I learned the value of hard work beside him—turning wrenches in the engine room and learning electricals. When cancer claimed my dad when I was just 13, my world shifted, but his lessons in grit and integrity stayed locked in my heart.
Jocelyn on the right with Crew. Standing inside a massive mining dragline bucket in 2020. (Photo: Jocelyn's Personal Collection)
Before ever picking up a professional camera, I spent a decade working in heavy industry and mining. From earning my HR truck licence to working on the Onshore Ichthys project in Darwin to operating massive DK90 blast drill rigs, I knew heavy machinery, dirt and hard yakka long before I ever stepped trackside to report.
When I discovered my father’s 45-year speedway scrapbook, it sparked a deep calling to archive our sport's rich heritage. I self-published Big Bad Johno so my daughter would know her grandfather’s legacy. Today, over 400 copies sit on shelves worldwide, resting proudly in both the State Library of Queensland and the National Library of Australia.
That project snowballed into Nomad Dirt Culture Pty Ltd. Over the past year, returning to the track felt like coming home. During a period of intense personal trial—stepping up to support my mother through stage 5 kidney disease and relocating her to Brisbane for treatment—the speedway paddock became my sanctuary. Surrounded by the teams, the fans, and the raw energy of racing, I found a community that brought genuine joy and strength when I needed it most.
Nomad Dirt Culture was built on pure passion and unfiltered truth, generating over 9 million organic impressions in under 9 months by putting grassroots drivers, local clubs, and historic storytelling in the spotlight. From representing speedway trackside at the Ekka 150-Year Heritage Celebration to raising funds for cancer awareness during Pink Night, every project is designed to give back to the sport that has given my family so much.
History is the foundation of who we are. If we archive our stories with pride and share them with the world, we ensure future generations fall in love with racing just like we did. My father built his legacy in the 20th century; Nomad Dirt Culture is my chapter, dedicated to empowering grassroots racing for the next generation.
“I’m not a copy of my father. I’m the next chapter of his legacy. The story only gets better” - Jocelyn Dare.
Big Bad Johno: Australian Speedway Champion by Jocelyn Dare is available worldwide on Amazon
0 comments
Nomad Dirt Culture Comment Policy
Keep your commentary authentic and respect the heritage. Absolute zero tolerance for malicious feeds.