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Here and Now with John Bowe

The recent Phillip Island endurance round of the V8 Supercars was a fascinating contest. Watching something that was once a major part of my life without being behind the wheel is slightly weird for me, but I enjoyed it none the less.

Phillip Island is one of the toughest tracks on the tyres in the series, and the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx ‘Control’ came through again with flying colours. In fact, it provided a large portion of the entertainment as teams tried to work out the best car set-ups to see what would get them to the finish line quickest. The race was strategic as usual, with tyres and fuel consumption at the fore.

The outstanding drive of the event for me was Shane Van Gisbergan in the SP Tools entry, the young Kiwi lad really made Lowndes and Triple 8/TeamVodafone dig deep. But in the end he fell off the pace in the final few laps after he experienced problems with his car.

What was obvious at the Island was that there is Triple 8 Racing at one level, and then there is the rest chasing. Triple 8’s complete performance package is outstanding, and while others may achieve some minor glory for themselves in qualifying, short races or specific stints, when the chips are down on the table, it is Triple 8 that are the best week in, week out.

Next up we have the year’s biggest event, the Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama. It will be a brave man that bets again Triple 8, but the pressure will be coming from far and wide to knock them off. I am racing my “Mustang Sally” there as well in the Touring Car Masters, so come by and say hello if you get up to the Mountain!

Until next time,
drive safely.

Tags: Dunlop SP Sport Maxx, Shane Van Gisbergan