The recent Order of Australia medal recipient will be attending the Queensland based event for the first time, which celebrates the Darling Downs region’s hosting of the 1949 Australian Grand Prix.

 

Bowe will form part of a special group of drivers known as the Leyburn Legends and will join the likes of Dick Johnson, Colin Bond and Fred Gibson in the group.

 

The 67-year-old has achieved quite a lot during his 50-year career in motorsport - his most notable accolades include an Australian Touring Car Championships, two Motorsport Australia Gold Stars, two Bathurst 1000 victories and five Touring Car Masters titles.

 

After claiming a victory in a Touring Car Masters’ first round at the Race Tasmania earlier this year, the Tasmanian became just the fourth driver in Australian motorsport history to win 100 races in the same national-level category.  

With such a formidable record behind the wheel, Bowe was looking forward to his Leyburn visit and was also hoping to be able to take part in the event too.

 

“It will be nice to catch up with everyone at Leyburn, but I’ve said I’d like to drive a car if they can find me one,” Bowe said.

 

“I’ve heard the Sprints are a great little event - my mate Dick Johnson has been going for years. I love what I call real cars like they run at Leyburn and motorsport people, so I think it’s going to be a great experience.”

Historic Leyburn Sprints President Tricia Chant was thrilled Bowe would be attending the event.

 

“John Bowe is truly a legend. He’s won countless titles in a long career and is still racing at the front, and he’s tremendously popular with fans,” Chant added.

 

“John, Dick Johnson, Colin Bond, Fred Gibson and some more Legends we’ll announce soon will attend the Sprints on both days and I know will get a warm welcome from everyone.

 

“After COVID forced the cancellation of last year’s event, there’s great excitement about our return among everyone from competitors and spectators to exhibitors and officials. It’s going to be a wonderful celebration of motorsport and motoring in our historic little town.”

 

With a jam packed weekend of motorsport on the cards, more than 200 historic, classic and performance cars will be on display racing around the one kilometre closed-street course, while the event’s Shannons Show ‘n’ Shine competition will host up to 120 cars and motorcycles, as well as colourful vintage caravans.

 

Entries for the 2017 Queensland Motor Sport Event of the Year close on 9 July with the field open to racing, sports and touring cars from the 1920s to modern-day.

 

Tickets for the event cost $20 for a day pass or $30 for a weekend pass.

 

Click here for more information on how to enter or purchase tickets.   

The Historic Leyburn Sprints’ 25th anniversary takes place in the Southern Darling Downs town of Leyburn on 21-22 August.