Supercars legends awarded Queen’s Birthday Honours

Three Supercars’ Hall of Fame inductees have today been awarded Member of the Order of Australia honours, as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Larry Perkins, John Bowe and Tony Cochrane are among seven motorsport personalities who have received a royal nod for their contribution to Australian motorsport and notably the Supercars Championship.

Long-time Motorsport Australia President Andrew Papadopoulos, Australian Grand Prix event director Trent Smyth, and safety expert Dr Michael Henderson have also received honours.

Supercars’ Channel Seven Commentator Mark Beretta also picked up a nod for service to the community through charitable organisations.

Perkins presenting the LP Trophy to Chaz Mostert in 2019

Perkins, who enjoyed a long career in the Australian Touring Car Championship and was inducted into the Supercars Hall of Fame in 2008, has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his “significant service to motorsport as a touring car driver and team owner.”

Perkins’ son Jack, who will race at this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000 for Erebus Motorsport, has marked the occasion via his social media accounts, recognising his dad's racing record as ‘incredible’.

“Today Dad was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to Motorsport as both a driver and a team/business owner - and it’s not before time!” the post reads.

“Dad’s Racing record is incredible, highlighted by 6 x Bathurst 1000 Wins and 11 X Formula 1 Grand Prix Starts.

“Perkins Engineering (@perkinsengineering) is an Australian manufacturing success story, building 49 Holden Racing Cars and 198 Race/Road Engines. At times employing up to 50 people, but over a period of 25 years in business employing well over 150 people.

“Congratulations Dad, Larry Perkins AM.”

John Bowe DJR Bathurst 1989 podium

Two-time Bathurst winner and 2009 Supercars Hall of Fame inductee Bowe received the same honour for “significant service to motorsport as a touring car driver.”

Australian motorsport legend Bowe who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February, admitted the honour was a ‘big surprise’.

“We just looked this up on the government website, so it must be official!” via a social media post this morning.

“Please join us in congratulating JB on his appointment as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia.

“JB said it's a big surprise and honour, and not sure how it happened!

“But with motorsport not being as mainstream as other sports such as footy and cricket, he reckons this is confirmation that motorsport matters!”

Tony Cochrane

Cochrane is best-known for transforming the Australian Touring Car Championship into ‘V8 Supercars’.

Cochrane was a key figure in Supercars’ expansion into international markets.

The Foundation Chairman who famously “put the word Super into Supercars” was the driving force behind placing Supercars into Australia’s mainstream sports network and establishing races in New Zealand, China, the Middle East and USA among his many achievements.

The first non-driver to be inducted into the Supercars Hall of Fame, he stepped down as Foundation Chairman in 2012 after a 16-year tenure.

Cochrane has been recognised with an AM being for “significant service to sports administration, and to entertainment production.”

Andrew Papadopoulos

Former Motorsport Australia President Papadopoulos’ recognition is for “significant service to motorsport, and to driver safety and education.”

Papadopoulos has overseen key safety initiatives throughout his career as chair of Rally Australia, a deputy delegate to the FIA World Motor Sport Council, and a member of the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club board.

Mark Beretta and Neil Crompton at the 2021 season launch

Channel Seven sport presenter Mark Beretta is also among more than 1100 Australians to be named in the honours list, receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community through charitable organisations.

The Repco Supercars Championship field will return to the Northern Territory for the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown across June 18-20. Tickets are available here.

The event will be broadcast live on Foxtel and will be streamed on Kayo, and will be broadcast live and free on Seven.