Australian motorsport icon John Bowe sits down with Aussie Garage for an in-depth chat about his one-off return to the Touring Car Masters (TCM) grid, the stunning new Holden Torana A9X hatch built by Bendigo Retro Muscle Cars, and the diverse machinery that has defined his legendary career.
In a career spanning over five decades, John Bowe has mastered virtually every type of race car imaginable. While he officially stepped back from regular TCM competition, the opportunity to jump behind the wheel of a brand-new, impeccably built car was too good to pass up.
The Return of the Terminator
Bowe was at the Sandown Supercar Round to contest a one-off drive in the Touring Car Masters category, driving a stunning A9X-inspired Holden Torana hatch. This immaculate car was built by the renowned team at Bendigo Retro Muscle Cars for owner David Schramm.
“I’m kind of like the Terminator, I’m back for a minute,” Bowe quipped [01:01].
He expressed high praise for the craftsmanship, noting that the quality of the build was the main reason he agreed to the drive [01:17]. The Torana stands out in the TCM field, finished in a stunning “original royal plum color” that gives it an authentic 1970s aesthetic, unlike the flashier liveries of some rivals [01:35].
The Raw Challenge of Classic Muscle
For fans who love the purity of old-school racing, Bowe offered a fascinating insight into what makes the TCM cars such a handful—and why he loves them.
Despite his extensive experience, Bowe admitted he had “sort of forgotten how tough they were to drive” [02:51]. These powerful cars, running on bumpy tracks like Sandown, demand absolute commitment from the driver because they have:
- No Aero: The lack of modern aerodynamics means the cars are “hard work” and “leap around quite a lot” [02:57]. In a statement that may ruffle some feathers, Bowe declared, “my opinion, aero ruins racing” [03:02].
- Raw Power: They are a true test of a driver’s ability to manage power and chassis control without electronic aids, proving why the category is so popular.
Bowe, who holds an immense respect for the TCM paddock, highlighted the incredible “camaraderie” and the quality people in the community as a major drawcard for the series [03:54].
Keeping Sharp: From GT4 to Open Wheelers
Even after reducing his TCM commitment, Bowe has been busy proving his versatility across the global motorsport landscape [02:07]. Since his last regular TCM appearance, he’s been actively driving:
- A BMW GT4
- A Mustang endurance car in the 6-hour races
- A Mazda RX8 Cup car
- A historic open-wheeler
He also spends considerable time coaching and driving hot laps for Fast Track Experiences, ensuring he never goes “too rusty” [02:20].
The Cars He Loved… and the Ones That Tried to Kill Him
When asked about his all-time favourite race cars, Bowe explained that his affection is usually reserved for the cars he was most successful in [04:13]. This includes a Ralt open-wheeler and a Veskanda sports car from his early career, as well as the legendary Ford Sierras he campaigned with Dick Johnson.
However, not every machine earned his love. In a moment of frank honesty, he mentioned the cars he didn’t love were the ones that “try to kill you,” citing one in particular that “spat its wheel off twice” [04:43].
This interview is a must-watch for anyone who loves classic race cars, the thrills of the Touring Car Masters, and stories from one of Australia’s greatest drivers.
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