John Bowe: A 20 year Bathurst pursuit.

As Peter Brock prepares for his final race at Bathurst, another veteran of the Mount Panorama circuit will reach a landmark of his own, as two time Bathurst winner John Bowe prepares to compete in the race for the 20th time.

As well as his two victories, Bowe has felt the anguish of being runner-up on five occasions, and, like most drivers in any series the world over, he has been left to pick up the pieces after early race crashes and mechanical failures.

Now, on the eve of the 2004 Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 that takes place this Sunday, Bowe looks back over 20 years of competing in one of, if not the, most famous touring car race in the world.
Thoughts on 20 Bathurst starts:

"To be honest, it just feels like yesterday that I was on the grid for my first go at Bathurst. It was daunting, very daunting. I am blessed that I have been able to come back year after year and still be competitive. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would be coming back to the Mountain after 19 starts and still have a chance of winning. This place hadn't really changed that much until this year. The new pit complex and facilities are just fantastic and are a credit to all concerned. Bathurst really now is a world class event."
Bathurst 1000 highlight:

"Winning for the second time in 1994 was definitely my highlight at Bathurst. My first win was great but I was much more involved in the team [Shell Helix/Dick Johnson Racing] in '94 and made a bigger contribution on the track. It was also a really hard fought win. We were being chased by Craig Lowndes and ironically my team mate these days, Brad Jones in the HRT Commodore and they pushed us right to the end."
Bathurst 1000 low point:

"In 2000, I was inside the top five in my Caterpillar Falcon and suddenly I was passed by something that at first I just couldn't believe - my right hand rear wheel. I managed to limp back to the pits so the crew could put another wheel on but you can imagine my reaction when the whole thing happened again a few laps later. It was devastating for the whole team that year."
Best car at Bathurst:

"There's no doubt that the best car I have ever driven around Bathurst was the 2002 OzEmail AU Falcon. It was a race winner and an amazing package. The only way that we weren't going to win was to have someone hit us or have some component break. Well the latter happened after dominating the first third of the race. It was the one that got away."
Most memorable Bathurst moment:

"Funny enough, it wasn't in a race car. In 1985, I went around the circuit for the first time in a road car in preparation for the race. Well, it scared the living &%#@ out of me! My strongest memory is coming over 'Skyline' thinking 'what the hell am I doing'! It was a daunting place and the only race track that has ever truly scared me."
Biggest Bathurst crash:

"In 1997, I was driving the #17 Shell Helix EL Falcon and on the 17th lap of the race, we had a front upright steering arm break as I was approaching the 'Dipper'. I hit the wall at a great rate of knots and I can remember feeling my neck buckle. I managed to get the car back to the pits but it was a mess. Mind you so was my neck for a few weeks after that as well."