Bowe backs 'serious fighting' racing rules in 2025
John Bowe backs "serious fighting" racing rules in 2025
First two rounds of 2025 highlighted by intense, aggressive racing
2025 season resumes in New Zealand at Taupō on April 11-13
More “serious fighting” on track in 2025 has earned the tick of approval from Supercars Hall of Famer John Bowe.
The first two rounds of the 2025 Repco Supercars Championship have been headlined by aggressive combat and door-to-door action, leading to entertaining racing.
Notably, Cam Waters battled hard with Broc Feeney and Will Brown in Sydney, while there were several clashes and incidents at the Grand Prix.
While some incidents were up to debate, drivers have applauded the applauded the ’new’ standard, which is somewhat a return to the days of old.
Bowe, the 1995 series champion and two-time Bathurst winner, was a successful proponent of the “gloves off” style of racing in the 1990s.
Speaking to Supercars.com, the 31-time race winner backed the action, saying: "I think the racing's been fantastic.
"They've certainly allowed a bit more serious fighting. It had got to a stage where it was a bit like, ‘After you mate', you know, a bit more gentlemanly.
"In my day it was gloves off. You were fighting, you were defending, you were attacking and it was good. We’re seeing that now. It's all positive and I've enjoyed it immensely.
"I've spoken and written positively about it. There's a section of the public that I find a bit distasteful. They’re Supercar knockers. But I’d give it 10 outta 10.”
Per Supercars data analyst Scott Sinclair, there was a significant year-on-year increase in overtaking at both Sydney and the Grand Prix, and an increase in closer finishes.
Sinclair highlighted the introduction of the new-construction Dunlop Soft tyre as being key to the increased racing spectacle, while Bowe lauded Driving Standards Advisor Craig Baird for letting the drivers settle it on track.
However, while insisting accidents sometimes happen, Bowe reiterated that he doesn’t want the action to end up like a "demolition derby."
"There's never a defined line. They used to try and have a defined line, you know, you had to be up by the B pillar and all that sort of stuff. I mean, you can send it down the inside and bounce off somebody and make the B pillar,” Bowe said.
"Aggressive racing is just that, but it doesn't mean you can drive someone off the road or shunt them out. It's a cliche, but rubbing is racing. But this year, you can just see the body language is a bit more aggressive. That’s how it should be.
"So, it's very hard to determine. Bairdo's got a lot of experience, he's very straight up and down. He won't be intimidated by anybody.
"Personally, I'm a trained observer. In racing, I’ve been in plenty of good and bad situations. You might have the odd accident; nobody goes out there to unload somebody or cause an accident. That's a fact.
"If there is the odd scuffle, so be it; the cars are so close and the drivers are so close. There's no bad drivers there. They're all very skilled. They have to be, to be there in the first place. So, let 'em race.
"Don’t turn it into a demolition derby, but to my way of thinking, they have been allowed to race this year. I think it's terrific.
"All told, it's top line motorsport where wherever you look in the world, it is as good as anything there is.”
Supercars action resumes in New Zealand on April 11-13. Tickets are on sale now.
