JOHN Bowe will celebrate his 50th Bathurst enduro this weekend in an ultra-rare milestone.
Bowe is competing in the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour, sharing a Ford Mustang in the A2 class with Braydan Willmington and Brianna Wilson.
It’s the latest chapter in an affinity with the Mountain that dates back to 1985.
That was the first of his 23 starts in the Bathurst 1000. He’s also made 12 appearances in the 12 Hour, eight (prior to this weekend) in the 6 Hour, two in the 24 Hour, and four in the GT-P 3 Hour Showroom Showdown.
Bowe has four outright victories to show for those efforts: two in the Great Race (1989 and ’94) and two in the 12 Hour (2010 and 2014).
“I think it’s the best track in the world but maybe I’m a bit biased,” Bowe told V8 Sleuth.
“I’m quite often asked by people what I’m most proud of, and I always say it’s the longevity – the fact that I’ve managed to stay in the game for a very long time.
“It’s a tough business. It’s not easy and financially it’s not easy but I’m still going.”
Besides the obvious addition of the Chase in 1987, Bowe believes Bathurst has evolved aplenty over four decades.
The Volvo of John Bowe and Robbie Francevic in 1985. Pic: an1images.com / Dale Rodgers
“The first time I went there I was horrified by the lack of safety, like run-off,” he said.
“It’s much safer than it used to be.
“I mean, it will never be a clinical place because it’s one of the last bastions of road courses in the world. They don’t make tracks like that anymore.
“It’s incredibly satisfying to drive around if the car is not trying to kill you.”
Bowe will be available over the 6 Hour weekend to sign copies of his new book, ‘Driven: The John Bowe Story’ at Bathurst. Copies will be available to buy from the Bowe pit over the weekend.
Eager to take a relaxed approach to his racing, the two-time Bathurst 1000 winner does enjoy the old-school nature of production cars and their need for mechanical sympathy.
Bowe also drove the Willmington Mustang in the 2025 Bathurst 6 Hour. Pic: Speed Shots Photography
“I race nowadays with people whose company I really enjoy,” he added.
“The Willmingtons are lovely people and the chance to go around Bathurst is always appreciated.
“I’ve got no expectations, I’m just going to enjoy the driving and enjoy the people.
“I have got a lot of trophies – I don’t need trophies. But if we can have a good result and you go home on Sunday night and you think ‘gee we did a good job’, I love that feeling.”
A total of 70 cars have been entered for the April 3-5 main event.
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