The last round of the 2007 Australian V8 Supercar Championship saw John Bowe complete his final laps as a full-time driver in the series after 22 years in the top tier.
Making his 225th championship start at Phillip Island, the former Australian Touring Car champion and two-time Bathurst winner made an emotional exit from the category, having announced his retirement at the start of the year. The Glenfords Racing star has enjoyed a tremendous response from both Ford and Holden racing fans throughout 2007, and this continued in a fitting send-off at the season finale.
In acknowledgement of his achievements in the sport, Bowe led the drivers' parade for a lap of honour of the Phillip Island track, but was not rewarded with a dream result as the top four drivers in the standings fought it out for the title.
Starting 27th in race one, Bowe peaked in tenth place as the field shuffled through their compulsory pit-stops, before his afternoon was turned around by a black flag for 'inoperative brake lights', forcing him to bring the Glenfords Racing Falcon back into pit-lane - where the team found that the brake lights were functioning.
With the unwarranted pit-stop ruining Bowe's chances to move up the order and better his position for the remaining two races, the veteran was left to face further battles in the midfield. Race two saw him rocket off the line, making up several positions before the first turn, only to be hung out to dry and eventually round out the opening lap in 29th, before chipping away either side of the pit-stop to come home in 25th spot.
Things didn't get much better in his final outing either, as he had to fight hard all the way through the 27-lap encounter just to take the chequered flag in 23rd place. From there, he quietly stepped into retirement.
The most experienced driver in the field, Bowe is the only driver in the current crop to have competed in the first championship round held at Phillip Island, in 1990, and taken part in all 14 rounds contested since then. His record remains impressive, with his unmatched 225 championship starts - six with Volvo, one for Nissan and 218 with Ford - producing 25 pole positions, 15 round wins, 52 podium finishes, the 1995 championship and victory at Bathurst in both 1989 and 1994. He also holds the record for the most pole positions - eight - in a single season, a mark he shared with the late Peter Brock.
"I don't really know how to describe how I feel right now - it's been a very emotional season, especially this weekend, and I'm trying not to think about it too much," Bowe admitted as he prepared to walk away.
"I've had a pretty good run in these cars over the years and, while I really don't want to go, it is the right time to step aside. The Glenfords Racing team has done a fantastic job, the car has been extremely well prepared all season and, while we would have liked to have achieved better results from the year, it has been a pleasure to spend my final season with such a wonderful group of people. I'm not sure what the future holds for me now, but as a full-time V8 driver it's time for me to go. goodbye, farewell and amen."
