Recognising a stellar career that spanned 22 years in the country’s premier motor racing category, Bowe joins the likes of Jim Richards, Peter Brock, Dick Johnson, Larry Perkins and Harry Firth.

Netting two Bathurst 1000 victories and the 1995 Australian Touring Car Championship during his illustrious career, Bowe also holds the record for the most championship starts (225) bridging across the Australian Touring Car Championship and V8 Supercar eras.

Making his Touring Car debut in a Volvo 240T in the non-championship round at Sandown (VIC) in 1985, Bowe entered the series proper in the opening round at Adelaide International Raceway in 1986.

A move to Dick Johnson Racing in 1988 was the beginning of a successful 11-year partnership that cemented Bowe as one of Australia’s great racing talents.

Boasting 27 race wins, 15 overall round wins, 25 pole positions and 43 front-row starts, the Tasmanian also equals Peter Brock as the record holder for most pole positions in a season with eight poles scored in 1995.

Scoring his first podium finish in 1986 and his last V8 Supercar podium at Bathurst in 2004, it is the impressive longevity of Bowe’s career and his enduring competitiveness at the premier level that transformed him from a champion to a motorsport icon.

Since his retirement from V8 Supercar racing at the end of the 2007 season, Bowe has not strayed far and remains an immensely popular identity in the V8 Supercar paddock.

Still thrilling fans with his hard but fair racing style, Bowe now contests the Biante Touring Car Masters Championship as a support class to the main V8 Supercar series.

JOHN BOWE:

“I have never been a glory seeker, but to be acknowledged like this is just great.

“I love motor racing and I love V8 Supercars, they have been my life and I am blessed to be able to still be involved.

“The work Tony Cochrane has done over the years to grow V8 Supercars is nothing short of miraculous, and to have been a part of that has been life defining for me.

“I have been involved with and helped by so many special people during my racing life - every racing driver needs the right tools - I feel very lucky and honoured.”