John Bowe joins legends with milestone victory at Symmons Plains

Motor racing legend John Bowe’s career hit a new high at Symmons Plains when became only the fourth Aussie to win 100 races in the same national category.

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TASMANIAN motor racing legend John Bowe’s career hit a new high at Symmons Plains when became only the fourth Australian to win 100 races in the same national category on a day when major events roared back to life in the state.

When Bowe took the chequered flag aboard his raging Torana SL/R5000 in the final race of the Touring Car Masters at the Race Tasmania event, “JB” notched up his 100th TCM win.

There was no better place to do it than at his home track where Bowe watched his dad Brian race as a little kid.

Only supercar stars Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup, and 10-time national sports sedan champion Tony Ricciardello, have reached the 100-win milestone in Australian motor racing history.

Tasmanian John Bowe on his 100th Touring Car Masters in his Torana SL/R5000 at Symmons Plains. Photo Angryman Photography

“It’s terrific,” Bowe said.

“I won my first race ever here in a Formula Vee, that was 49 years ago.

“My dad is 89-years-old. He’s the reason I got into motorsport.

“It was nice to have him here to see this.”

Fellow-Tasmanian Adam Garwood won the opening TCM round in his Chevrolet Camaro RS.

“It’s my home state and I had some terrific racing against young Adam Garwood, who’s a star.

“I’ve been trying to get his dad to get him into an S5000 – get rid of him out of this category.”

Tasmanian Owen Kelly finished third overall in the Trans Ams behind winner Nathan Hearn and former supercars legend Glenn Seton’s son Aaron.

Kelly was robbed of a win by a deflating tyre in the 26-lap feature race, which saw him lead on lap 12 then roll home in fourth.

“We’ve had a heap of fun but man we’ve had some bad luck,” Kelly said.

“Something has gone wrong with the car every single race.

“We had the right rear tyre going down about halfway through that last race and I was just trying to hang on.”

Tasmanian motorsport star Marcos Ambrose was Kelly’s crew chief and Owen’s brother Christian was his chief engineer.

“It has been a ball. He’s awesome on the spanners and setting up the car, and my brother and the team have been awesome.”

NSW driver Jordan Cox won both races on day two to claim the open round of the TCR series from former supercars driver Lee Holdsworth.

The TCR, S5000 and Trans Ams race Baskerville this weekend.