SuperUtes driver Rossi Johnson wins first national podium

Rossi Johnson tasted glory and heartbreak in the span of a single weekend in Perth. Details.

Rossi Johnson won his first national podium, placing third in Race 2 down in Perth for Round 3 of the V8 SuperUtes series 2025. Picture: Facebook

‘The Territorian’ Rossi Johnson had the full motorsports experience in Perth at the weekend, going from the highest of highs, crashing to the lowest of lows in less than 24 hours.

In the midst of his best run of form in the series, boasting six top 10 finishes from the previous eight races, his Round 3 weekend got off to a dream start.

In Race 1 he crossed the line in fifth before placing third in the following race, securing his maiden national series podium finish in the process.

Starting fifth, Johnson surged into the lead and controlled 12 of the 20 laps before fading to third as his tyres dropped off.

Rossi Johnson hit the wall hard in a massive shunt during Race 3 in Perth during the V8 SuperUtes series – 8 June 2025.

Overjoyed with the result, Johnson declared the result as his best ever day in motorsports.

“Best day in Utes, I think that’s the best day in motorsports for my whole career to be honest,” he said in a video posted to his Rossi Johnson Racing Facebook page.

“First ever national series podium, and it wasn’t a fluke, we well and truly had the pace.

“(I had a) really good jump (off the start), I went from fifth to first.

“I led most of the race, I just couldn’t keep the tyre underneath the car for the final stages of the race.

“Nonetheless, I’m absolutely wrapped … I’m lost for words.”

Johnson’s run of good luck and great form however came to a crashing halt on the Sunday as he was involved in a monster shunt in Race 3.

Johnson got off to a hot start, climbing to fourth from fifth before the end of the straight in lap one.

Rossi Johnson's SuperUte in the garage after the damage to the front-left corner. Picture: Apogee Motorsports Facebook

Paul Morris in car 67 applied relentless pressure throughout the opening lap, staying glued to Johnson’s rear before forcing him off the track and onto the pit lane entry at Turn 7.

In nearly identical scenes a lap later, Johnson was run off the road by the chasing 67 again on the final turn, before regaining his position down the straight.

On lap three Morris then forced his Ranger to the inside shoulder at Turn 1, unintentionally locking his left rear with Johnson’s front right tyre in the overtake.

The contact broke Johnson’s steering arm and sent him flying into the concrete barrier at excess of 100km/h, ending his race and totalling his ute.

Incensed, Johnson let out a number of expletives over the radio, airing his grievance to his Apogee Motorsports team about the incident.

Fortunately, as cameras panned back to the stricken number 333, Johnson was able to exit the vehicle of his own volition.

Apogee posted an update to its Facebook page on Sunday afternoon hours after the crash, announcing the decision to withdraw the number 333 from the rest of the weekend’s action.

“After the heavy impact with the concrete wall on the outside of Turn 1 in Race 3, we’ve made the tough call to withdraw (Rossi Johnson) from Race 4,” it read.

“The damage to the front-left corner is just too much to turn around in time.

“Gutted for Rossi after a strong weekend. Big job ahead for the team back at base.”

Originally published as SuperUtes driver Rossi Johnson wins first national podium