Racing legend Bowe opens up in brand new book

A new book covering the career of Australian motorsport legend John Bowe has today been announced.

Pre-orders have opened today here via the V8 Sleuth SuperStore for the hardcover publication that tracks the two-time Bathurst 1000 winner’s journey from his childhood in Tasmania right through his Hall of Fame racing career and battles along the way.

‘Driven: The John Bowe Story’ has been written with award-winning journalist Andrew Maclean and explores the whole gamut of Bowe’s life on and off the track.

The Supercars Hall of Famer is brutally honest in the 352-page hardcover book, openly outlining his battles with depression and his fault in the breakdowns of previous relationships off-track.

Within its pages he also recalls his numerous successes on track that include being the only driver in the history of the sport to win the Australian Touring Car Championship, Australian Drivers Championship and Australian Sports Car Championship.

His early years of growing up in Tasmania and going racing in the Apple Isle are covered in depth, as well his emergence as an open-wheel racing star via Formula 2, Formula 5000 and Formula Pacific, and his move into touring cars with Volvo.

Bowe’s decade-long racing partnership with Dick Johnson is explored in depth, a relationship that resulted in Bathurst 1000 victories in 1989 and 1994 as well as Bowe’s 1995 Australian Touring Car Championship success.

The racing legend’s regretful move to CAT Racing is explored in detail, as well as his subsequent stints at Brad Jones Racing and his difficult final season as a V8 Supercar full-time racer with Paul Cruickshank Racing in 2007.

The fan-favourite Touring Car Masters series proved a lifeline for Bowe and this era of his career is also a major part of the new book.

A two-time Bathurst 12 Hour winner, Bowe is also a six-time Touring Car Masters champion in the wildly popular muscle car class.

Set to be released in time for Christmas 2025, the book features a wide range of never-before-seen photos, including many from the Bowe family’s own archives.

Published by award-winning Australian motorsport publisher Aaron Noonan’s AN1 Media, the new title has been produced with the valued support of presenting partner AstronTech and supporting partners MotorActive, Shannons, North Rocks Concrete, XForce, Fastrack, R&T Pumps, Premcar, Peacedale Hire and APOGEE Motorsport.

“I’ve never thought I was important, or interesting enough that people would want to know anything about me, other than watch me compete on the television or at the racetrack, I am just a racing car driver,” says Bowe.

“That alone has placed the public spotlight on me more often than most and created some amazing opportunities.

“I have met some interesting people, made some great friends and somehow, against all odds, made a profession out of motor racing, which in itself is a remarkable achievement.

“But I don’t think I’ve had a more remarkable life than anyone else’s. I’ve lost more times than I’ve won, I’ve made more mistakes than plans, and I’ve failed at more things than I’ve succeeded at.

“I hope fans of the sport and those that have followed my career for years enjoy the read.”

‘Driven: The John Bowe Story’ is the first book published on Bowe, who was inducted into the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame in 2018.