John Bowe: What Ambrose return means for our sport

Personally, I'm very excited about the Penske/DJR/Ambrose announcement - for a number of reasons!

There's been plenty written and said about the recent news ... I'd like to share my thoughts in the hope that some may understand the depth and gravity of what this really means to our sport/category.

Marcos Ambrose grew up in Tassie, I watched him race as a kid. I've seen thousands of kids race ... every now and then you see someone who's special - that was Marcos Ambrose. He too was born into a racing family, his dad Ross was a racer.

In my eyes, Marcos was born with a massive amount of god given talent - from there it's what you do with that gift. Beyond his raw talent he had drive, ambition, dedication, determination and a clear vision of what he wanted to achieve in his career.

Make no mistake, when he arrived in V8 Supercar land he was on a mission. As a fellow competitor, he was quick with all the hallmarks of a future Champion in the making. He was respectful (from my perspective), I never found him arrogant, I saw him focussed on what he wanted and where he was headed.

After a winning two V8 Supercar Championships, Marcos headed to the US and worked very hard to earn his stripes. He learnt his craft in the Truck Series in his path to NASCAR. Marcos Ambrose went overseas like so many before him with a dream ... I'm not quite sure some folks really understand how tough the international motorsport world really is!

Many Aussies have visited the US and have watched him race ... in NASCAR terms Marcos Ambrose is a rock star and he has a huge following ... they love his cavalier way, he's a straight shooter and a hard racer. He is the BEST road racer in NASCAR, that certainly means he can drive.

I feel Marocs could have made the grade as a Formula One driver, while we'll never know the answer to that, from what I saw in him I reckon he had what it takes! Motor racing is so much about opportunities.

A short history lesson ... back to the future! The Penske/DJR/Ambrose announcement is without doubt the biggest news in Australia's motorsport history. Can you think of a bigger one?

We have one of the world race's most successful team owners partnering Australia's most loved and the oldest race team, DJR. I know a little about Dick Johnson, his team and more importantly the man. For all he is, Dick Johnson is a straight shooter, a simple and honourable bloke. Weather you love him or not, Dick Johnson for decades battled away and continued to deliver in a business that consumes money like water.

Make no mistake, Dick Johnson is tough and durable. I'm really pleased for Dick/Jilly, Steve Brabeck, Ryan Story and the entire DJR group ... to me they are what Motorsport is really about. It's the people who win races and Championships, the driver is vital and motorsport is a team game.

I know Roger Penske and his team will bring the expertise and processes that will attract the right people. If you look back to the arrival of Triple Eight and Walkinshaw Racing, both were successful in the British Touring Car Championship. Over time they've become two of the most impressive teams in our category, the overall effect was every V8 Supercar team lifted their game to a new level.

While money certainly plays a key role, it's the people that have the most influence in how a team performs. I point you to HRT's rise recently, they changed a few key personnel and they've found their way back to the front - that's how the business works.

I see a much bigger, wider benefit for our sport - I think it will lift our profile and potentially attract new sponsors who'll bring new money. It will also increase the appeal of V8 Supercars in terms of international appearances and potential new markets. Yes, we need to grow our sport and that could well include taking it to new markets overseas.

With the new Falcon due for release later this year I know FPR (as the Official factory team) are well down the track with their development. I'm praying they will arrive with a more competitive package for season 2015 and beyond. I can tell you it doesn't need much, the category is so so close, at this level it's all about theone-percenters.

My Xmas present this year would be the Ford Motor Company supporting both FPR and Penske/DJR ... heaven knows Roger Penske is massive player in the truck/car market in the US ... I really hope he can extract Ford support and remind the world of Ford's great Motorsport Heritage - here's hoping?

A new dawn will arrive at Clipsal (2015) and I can't wait for Team Penske/DJR and Marcos Ambrose to be on the grid. I think it's a massive windfall for V8 Supercars, the fans and the category. I reckon the media will go nuts ... the promotion and publicity/coverage could go to the next level.

I think it's important we be patient and the results will come in time, Marcos Ambrose is rarely out of the seat in NASCAR so he'll arrive home sharp ... he just needs to get his head around the car, it's behaviour and what it likes and adapt his style to suit the car. He'll notice a massive improvement since he was last in the seat of a V8 Supercar.

I'm not foolish enough to make rash predictions, given they (Penske) will need a little time to understand the business and our racing. I expect the results will follow in time.

Let's not forget, in a fortnightwe'll be arriving at Bathurst for the biggest race of the year. Not forgetting we have a Championship to be won and the Bathurst result can have a big impact in determining who'll take the 2014 crown - will Jamie Whincup rewrite the record books?