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Bowe to relish final Winton outing in TCM
John Bowe will compete at the Winton Raceway for the final time in the Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters series (TCM) when the category features as part of the fourth round of the Shannons SpeedSeries next month.
A legend of Australian motorsport, Bowe has competed in more than 1200 races in his career, winning over 100 of them in the TCM during his 16-year tenure in the category.
As announced earlier in the year, Bowe is currently in the midst of his farewell tour for the series and will relish the opportunity to compete once more at Winton Raceway – where he has previously won rounds in the Touring Cars, Supercars, Nations Cup and of course TCM.
After first competing at the circuit in 1974, the 68-year-old has returned every year since, bringing valuable experience and plenty of knowledge as he looks to depart the series on a high in 2023.
Additionally, he will compete in the Historic Group N and Group S cars shortly before the SpeedSeries event, making it a two-week stint at the circuit.
Bowe looked forward to returning to such a special circuit in his career, and believes it will be a brilliant weekend of competitive on-track action.
“I love Winton as a track, it’s a bit frightening to say I first raced there in 1979 and I’ve raced there every year since then. I’ve had a lot of good memories and a couple of bad ones,” Bowe said.
“I love the track and I love the people and officials because they are all very pleasant. Also, the country folk who come in numbers are really enthusiastic, which is great.”
“I could drive around Winton in my sleep, I can’t wait because we have had a bit of a break from Newcastle so I’m hopeful of being competitive.
“As for the competition, Steve Johnson is the man to beat.
“I’d like to say I tested and sorted out that Mustang and recommended that he drives it when it was in development. it’s come back to bite me in the arm but he’s a good friend so I don’t really mind the success he has – but I’d like to think I can beat him.”
With his start to the season being less than ideal, Bowe stated that his love for competitive racing trumps the need for points and results.
“We got off on the wrong foot to start the year, I had an engine drama at Symmons Plaines with a new engine and that put us on the back foot,” Bowe explained.
“Race wins and points aren’t what do it for me anymore anyway – after all this time what I love about it is competitive racing and we have got some good cars and drivers in TCM. I love doing it.”
With Winton to officially mark the half-way point of the farewell tour, Bowe was loving every minute of it so far.
“I’m racing with a group of people called Ravage Raceworks, Dean Lilley does a great job on prepping the car and I’m absolutely loving it,” Bowe added.
“We have a new livery, new team, new engine, the only thing that is old this season is me.
“We like to say Ciao for now, but you never know what can happen later.”
John Bowe and the Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters will be one of seven categories in action at the Hi-Tec Oils Race Winton, with Saturday and Sunday’s action to be broadcast via StanSport.
Tickets to the event can be purchased via motorsporttickets.com.au
John Bowe and the Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters series will feature at the fourth round of the Shannons SpeedSeries bill at the Winton raceway on 9-11 June.