John Bowe: Phillip Island Produced Spectacular Racing

27 Nov 2013

Motorsport great John Bowe dissects the weekend's racing and the year's final 60/60 Super Sprint race.

4 mins by James Pavey

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As I predicted – there was action aplenty at the weekend’s Phillip Island event. They certainly didn’t disappoint!

I’m on record as saying I’m not a fan/supporter of the 60/60 race format – shock horror. In the past I think they’ve missed their mark I reckon, it just hasn’t work for me.

But the weekend’s racing was outstanding, it's the best 60/60 racing I have ever seen! The Phillip Island circuit is one of the world’s best – other than MotoGP racing it hasn’t really made for great races.

I‘m a race fan, hard to believe (you say) after 40 years. As is always the case, the title fighters lifted to another level as the season’s finals approach, this year has been no exception!

I honestly think the lack of rule manipulation/tampering in V8 Supercars is its true strength – everyone knows where they sit week to week. Sure, it won’t stop and hasn’t stopped the cries for help/change … V8SC must remain unmoved and do what we’ve always had to do in this business … make the teams work harder!

Nissan, Erebus and now Volvo have to lift, lift, lift – that’s just the way it is and should always remain. Clearly, this year 888 and FPR have been the benchmark teams. The sport rewards excellence and that’s what we’re seeing played out as both teams try to deliver their drivers with the best car in their Championship quest.

I’m involved in a category that manipulates results by the constant change of car weight and engine revs. If I can offer one piece of advice (to V8SC), don't ever do it – it will be the start of the end. What happens thereafter is the constant cry for more and more help – manipulation of the system in simple terms.

Then you finish up where no one is happy and everyone feels like they are being screwed, even if they are not!

I’ve followed world motorsport closely for decades … there’s always been a hero … and there needs to be one, that’s what this caper is about.

Take a look at F1. Like him or not, Sebastian Vettel is incredibly dominate at this time in his career and before him was it was Michael Schumacher. That’s what happens when you have a team on top of their game and a driver developing with his team … together they become one.

It’s an evolutionary process … and it does change over time. I’ve watched it happen and was also part of it during my days at DJR.

We have the best ever finish coming up I reckon – it happens when the cream rises to the top, it always will. Champions take hold of their opportunities with both hands … I think we all saw a window of that – racing at it’s very best at Phillip Island over the weekend.

The Sydney 500 will be one of the most dramatic and exciting Championship finishes we’re ever likely to see. There has been no manipulation of the rules, no lobby influence, although some have certainly tried.

Looking at the points table – no driver will feel comfortable and all of them will be of the belief they can win the title. No matter if you’re Jamie in the hot seat, Craig is an awesome racer and Frosty showed he has the fire in the belly and raced tough. It could come down to one mistake…

May the Champ rule! I love it. All the contenders are very worthy, they possess exceptional talent and I believe they are as good as the best in the world! They should all be proud of their achievements – remember there can only be one winner.

I think V8 Supercars has been a big winner this season. When the racing is this close – it’s a reflection of the work the teams have done in delivering outstanding race cars.

Finally, I wanted to mention the incident on Saturday with Alex Premat and James Courtney. I was down at turn four (Honda, as it was known) and heard and saw the incident unfold.

Quite apart from the violent noise of the impact and twisted metal, I watched the efforts of Alex help free James from his wrecked car.

I thought Alex really showed he was a quick thinker and a caring man. Whilst drivers battle to the end, there is always a strong element of respect and understanding, and a will to help each other in times like we witnessed. Alex Premat is a good man!

See you at the Sydney 500 – I wouldn’t miss it!

Cheers,

Follow John Bowe on Facebook. Bowe is supported by Wilson Security, Dunlop Super Dealers and Coates Hire, competing in the 2013 Touring Car Masters Championship.