John Bowe: The show at the AGP

The Formula 1 Rolex Grand Prix weekend is behind us now, and the amount of rubbish I'm reading about the final race of the V8 Supercars rolling start accident is turning me purple! Our Touring Car Masters have had rolling starts now for a year and it's 50/50 on an accident happening and shorter odds when some of the quick boys are at the back.

I think what hasn't been said about the last V8 Supercar race is the four Prodrive Racing Australia cars had an open radio channel across their cars, so when Winterbottom went, the other three cars were primed to go at the same time.

That gave them a better start ... a jump on the other competitors/the field, smart thinking but hardly cricket, is it?

Radio communication should be banned during rolling starts.

I have a better idea - don't do rolling starts.

Rolling starts are not part of our V8 Supercar culture, a big aspect of V8 Supercars is the driver's skill set to get these over-powered monsters off the line without much wheel spin. It's not repeatable every time perfectly, so we have variety, every race lover likes variety with an unknown outcome.

On a performance level, Prodrive are looking strong and that's a great testimony to their team after Ford announced they are leaving motorsport (in Australia) at the end of this year.

It's ironic, isn't it? The year Ford walk and PRA appear to be in great form after winning Bathurst twice in the last two years and the white paper (in 2017) is designed to include the potential for running a Mustang - it beats me.

I think this year, among other contenders, Frosty and Chaz will be in the title chase and give it a good shake, and so they should be.

I think the grand prix race program need a rethink/revamp. If we can't have V8 Supercar points races, I believe that's the case, because it's an F1 show. Why not have a couple of one/two hour races using Dunlop soft tyres with pit and fuel stops to fizz it up a bit?

This weekend didn't showcase the V8 Supercar category to its full potential. I've said it endlessly, V8 Supercars is the toughest category in world motorsport. Given the design (circuit layout) of Albert Park - there are very few passing spots.

Take a look at qualifying times for both categories, V8 Supercars has 24 cars covered by 1.8sec and F1s, on the other hand, were 3.8sec across 18 cars!

I think in today's world, it's about racing and the level of entertainment that it generates by close racing/passing - that's the contest. Our V8 Supercars are highly developed and driven by supremely competitive athletes.

Our category is broadcast across the world to millions in over 100 countries.

I think we can do a better job of showcasing V8 Supercars to the world at such a prestigious event. We don't need to change much, longer races, soft tyres and fuel and we'll finish with a very different product. I know we have to work with the promoter, I'm just hopeful we can create better racing.

Albert Park is a fast flowing circuit with plenty of high speed corners, speaking of which - did you spot Nick Percat's pass around the outside of Craig Lowndes into turn 15? That's no easy task, a monster effort in fact. To make it stick takes guts ... and Lowndesy's no slouch - well done Nick.

I think it showed Percat's class. I see an upturn in the fortunes of LDM this year. Likewise, Tim Blanchard's race speed was good. If they can qualify further up the field they'll race better and bring a few good results - thumbs up for the little guys!

It would be remiss of me not to praise the efforts of The Giz and Tekno, and the team at HRT. They do look threatening this year, James [Courtney] seems to be in the zone and set for a big year.

Cheers,JB

Follow John Bowe on Facebook. Bowe is supported by Wilson Security, Dunlop Super Dealers and Coates Hire, and competing in the 2015 Touring Car Masters Championship.