TBK-Light.com

It doesn't matter what equipment he's in, he's done nothing in V8SC's. He's 24th in the standings this year for meanings sake.

Larry Perkins to step back from day-to-day control of a race team for the first time since 1986, instead playing an engineering supply role in a newly-formed alliance with Kelly Racing, which will field four - or even five - cars in 2009.

Perkins Engineering will remain as a builder and supplier of V8 cars and parts, primarily supplying the Kelly team, which is to be based in an all-new Dandenong factory.

Jack Daniels will appear on the Todd Kelly Commodore.

Perkins wouldn't formally confirm the change but did allow that the story was 'pretty accurate'.

eNews understands that Perkins intends to retain control of his two V8 licences, but that everything will be run by the Kelly's.

At this stage, no confirmed drivers other than Todd and Rick, but eNews confidently expects Jack Perkins and Autobarn backed Paul Dumbrell to be part of the equation, when the team and structure are formally revealed. Further, the teams new facility will reportedly allow a 5th car to be based there.

Do people forget in 2003 when Marshall/Ritter outqualified and outperformed their teammates Bright/Weel at Bathurst?

You could also look at that car again in 2004, which didn't make the race as I think Marshall walled the car around the Esses. (I think it was Marshall not White).

2003 was five years ago. If I'm a team boss I'm going to want performance in 2007 and 2008, not half a decade ago. If that were the case Bjorn Wirdheim would be at the top of everyone's shopping lists.

Will Skaife still drive at Bathurst/Phillip Island??

John Bowe on the road to recovery
Article from: Sunday Herald Sun
James Bresnehan

November 16, 2008 12:00am

BEHIND the wheel of a thundering V8, cocooned in a steel rollcage, sheathed by fireproof clothing and helmet, John Bowe felt at home.

Racing cars was his job, his love, his life for 22 years -- and he was good at it.

No driver has contested more V8 Supercar races than the likeable 55-year-old driver from Devonport.

But stepping out of the sport at the end of last year left Bowe disoriented and detached.

He spiralled into despair and clinical depression.

"Some days you just don't want to get out of bed - that's how I was," Bowe said.

"I was lost."

Not surprisingly, it is in the seat of a race car that he is reclaiming his sense of self and, more importantly, has found passion and joy again.

A year after his retirement from V8s, "JB" will return to his home track, Symmons Plains, next weekend to race a 1969 Camaro in the Biante Touring Car Masters.

"This drive happened along at the right time because I was still struggling with the fact that I was not a full-time V8 driver," he said.

"I was a full-time professional for so long it just became such a big part of my life. You live, eat, breathe it."

Bowe won Bathurst twice, was Australian Touring Car Champion in 1995, contested a record 373 V8 Supercar races for 34 wins and 90 podium finishes.

"Now I've had some time to think about it, I was struggling over the past couple of years with the fact that I was going to retire, knowing it was coming," he said.

"But it was nothing like the impact it had on me when it arrived - it was a shattering loss. I started to suffer from depression, which is not very pleasant.

"I felt down in the dumps all the time. You get to the stage where you can't deal with day-to-day actions, and sometimes I got so bad I didn't want to get out of bed. It's terrible, such a life-changing thing."

Bowe is not the first Australian sportstar to suffer depression.

The list includes Olympians Leisel Jones, Raelene Boyle and Matt Mitcham, AFL players Nathan Thompson and Wayne Schwass, NRL legend Andrew Johns and Socceroo Mark Bosnich.

Beyondblue national chairman Jeff Kennett said 15 per cent of the sporting elite suffered depression.

Support is available on the beyondblue info line, 1300 22 4636, or beyondblue.org.au

Tony Cochrane – Chairman V8 Supercars Australia:
"We are delighted to finalise the new five year arrangement at what has been one of our signature events,” said Cochrane.

“Our new race format, featuring a 200km Race on Saturday and Sunday with both tyre and fuel pit stops, will make for an absolute must see on the streets of Surfers Paradise.

“V8 Supercars would particularly like to thank the Queensland Government, and in particular Minister Spence and the promoter GCMEC, for their tremendous work in bringing this together.

"Once again, V8 Supercars are delighted to bring the TV production and our host broadcaster, the Seven Network to this iconic Australian motorsport event"