John Bowe: 2015 was intense

Wow, it will be hard to adjust now the V8 Supercar season is over. 

It was so intense and consuming that there’s almost an anti-climatic feel now it’s finished – at least there is for me, anyway!

While some dislike the Homebush track I think it's a fantastic venue to stage a race meeting. It's a real street fight where a mistake sees you hanging out of the tyre barriers. The only issue with the track for me is the turn 2/3/4 complex – it’s way too tight and rewards rough driving.

The more freestyle drivers usually excel and this year was no different. While I was absolutely rapt for Frosty and Prodrive Racing Australia for their first title, the end of season form shown by Red Bull and the satellite Tekno team with Van Giz was ominous. 

Team for team, there's not much in it – but how impressive are Triple Eight?

When there appears to be a crack looking in from the outside, they come out and cream the field.

The Nissan performance of Rick Kelly in particular really means that next year they can genuinely challenge for the race wins and potentially be a Championship contender. It's just rewards for the Kelly boys and Nissan in particular, I reckon. 

Nissan has really embraced V8 Supercar competition; certainly more than Ford and possibly on an equal level to Holden, if the truth be known.

Mercedes on the other hand should step up! We have the greatest closed car competition on earth here and they don't help Erebus one bit. I see the recent news Betty is considering her options – if it was me, I’d be running customer cars, be it Triple Eight or PRA cars.

The performance of the Erebus Mercedes tapered a little as the other teams continued to develop – it’s super expensive just to find a few tenths of a second. When a talent like Will Davison is lucky to make the top 10 there is clearly a deficiency. The top teams are consistently evolving their development. In the V8 Supercar world if you snooze you lose!

I’d like to congratulate the V8 Supercars management team and James Warburton – in a very difficult market James and his team continued to deliver a world-class product.

I can't wait for next year when we get to see how all the changes shake out. Although, I wouldn’t expect the front-runners to change too much next year – time will tell.

My last count has 12 drivers on the move next season. That is a record in itself, as far as I can remember – never before have we seen such a volatile seat shuffle. I think it shows the current climate in motorsport. Motorsport consumes a massive amount of money, more so if you run at the front and invest in continual development. In a country as small as ours motorsport has massive competition for sponsorship dollars in a footy mad culture.

I assure you, V8 Supercars is a world-class category and it’s the most competitive series anywhere around the globe.    

Not only is it a pre-requisite to be fast and on top of your game, added to that is your ability to bring a sponsor portfolio with you, which certainly improves the chances of a drive.

This has long been a pattern in the highest level of motorsport – F1 has taken cash for seats and I suspect the pattern will continue.

Finally, I’m delighted for Frosty – he certainly has earned the title of V8 Supercars Champion, for a number of years he’s been close. I think in previous years his performance has flattered the car – this year the car was better and he got the job done!  

To all the passionate V8 Supercars followers, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe festive season.

Cheers,JB

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