AUSTRALIAN motorsport legend John Bowe has been confirmed as a starter in the Winton Festival of Speed on August 9-10, driving a Formula 1 car.
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Bowe is well-known for his touring car success, winning the 1989 and 1994 Bathurst 1000 with Dick Johnson, as well as the 1995 Australian Touring Car Championship.
Before that, Bowe also had a highly successful open-wheel career.
The F1 car he will drive at Winton is a March 741, piloted in the 1974 Formula 1 world championship by Hans-Joachim Stuck.
Stuck finished 16th that year, with a best result of fourth at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The car is now owned by historic collector Joe Calleja.
“It’s a lovely car, and it’s been restored to its original Jagermeister livery so it looks absolutely superb,” Bowe said.
“It’s a nice car to drive, but being a Formula 1 car, it’s also very fast.”
Bowe drove the car at Phillip Island and said it would be challenging to steer around Winton.
“It was built for predominantly open, European tracks,” he said.
“Winton is a tighter and more technical track, so it will be quite hard work hustling through the slower corners, but it will still be a lot of fun.”
Bowe has previously driven open-wheelers at festival, including a Brabham BT23B last year, and rates the event highly.
“It really is an awesome event, it’s one of my favourites,” he said.
“It always attracts a big crowd, there’s great camaraderie between the competitors, and being a country racetrack there’s a terrific atmosphere.”
Gates open at 7am. Admission is $30 Saturday and $35 Sunday. Children under-16 are free.