2008 BIANTE Touring Car Masters,

Preview - Round Three

Hidden Valley
Darwin, July 4-6

2008 BIANTE Touring Car Masters,

TIN TOPS TACKLE TOP END!

Press Release – 27 June 2008. 

The BIANTE Touring Car Masters rejoin the V8 Supercar trail with their upcoming third round at Hidden Valley Raceway just outside Darwin. 

This will be the first time Territorians have had the chance to witness up close the thrilling spectacle of classic muscle cars of the `60s and early `70s battling for supremacy on the circuit.  Current BIANTE TCM points leader Gavin Bullas (1969 Boss Mustang) is one of a handful of the drivers with previous Hidden Valley experience in other categories.

Bullas was one of the front runners at Darwin’s V8 Ute round back in 2005 and after a clean sweep of all three races during round two at Oran Park is sure to be right at the pointy end. Darwin resident Phil Brock, is certainly no stranger to Hidden Valley and will definitely know the quick way around come race day.

The brother of racing great Peter, Phil has accepted an offer from Gavin Bullas to drive his thundering 351 Falcon and was quickly up to race pace during a brief test in the car at Oran Park. “Splitpin” was a fine driver in his own right in the early seventies and has been keeping sharp by racing a Commodore Cup car this season. 

Former Australian Touring Car Champion and Bathurst winner John Bowe returns to the BIANTE Touring Car Masters behind the wheel of Tony Hunter’s 1969 Chev Camaro. Bowe and the Camaro won two races at the opening round of the BIANTE Touring Car Masters at the Clipsal 500 earlier this year and with new sponsor WesTrac CAT aboard JB has now committed to the remainder of the Season.  Another Touring Car legend chomping at the bit will be Jim Richards.

The multiple Targa Tasmania winner will debut his brand new 1964 Falcon Rallye Sprint. The Falcon Sprint was originally developed for rallying and later became an extremely effective circuit racer. Featuring the mechanical specifications of a Mustang from the same era, but boasting a lot less weight the Sprint has great potential. Purpose built from the ground up to suit the BIANTE Touring Car Masters regulations, the Sprint does give away engine size to the lead pack but in “Gentleman Jim’s” hands anything is possible! 

Current Division Two points leader Garry Treloar (Charger) will have his hands full with the spirited racing in this class resulting in a three way tie for the round win at Oran Park. Rory O’Neill (Porsche 911), Ian McAllister (1964 Mustang) and Nigel Benson (XY Falcon) all finished equal on points. 

Treloar’s team mate Mick Wilson (Charger), John Nelson (Porsche) and the incredibly quick Trevor Talbot (Torana) will also all be primed to have a red hot go on a layout that can reward a well set up smaller car, particularly around the tighter back section of the circuit.  

Round three of the 2008 BIANTE Touring Car Masters kicks off on Friday 4th July with Practice at 0930 and Qualifying at 1150. Saturday brings the second qualifying session at 1025 and race one at 1415.

Two races on Sunday at 0925 and 1300 complete the programme.

BIANTE Touring Car Masters, The bug bites Bowe!

Press Release – 2 June 2008. 

2008 BIANTE Touring Car Masters Round Three, Hidden Valley, Darwin, July. 4-6. 

BIANTE bug bites Bowe Dual Bathurst winner and 1995 Australian Touring Car Champion John Bowe has confirmed he will be joining the BIANTE Touring Car Masters for all forthcoming rounds this season! Bowe will take the wheel of the stunning 1969 Chevy Camaro owned by fellow BIANTE TCM competitor Tony Hunter with support from WesTrac CAT. 

JB steered the Camaro to pole position and two victories first time out at the opening round of the 2008 BIANTE TCM at the Clipsal 500 back in February. Despite very little seat time prior to the Adelaide street race, Bowe quickly adapted to the unfamiliar 500 plus horse power beast and demonstrated the threat he will be over the course of the season.  

The Hunter Camaro was taken to BIANTE TCM round victories at Sandown and Phillip Island last year by another ATCC/Bathurst winner in Jim Richards. Jim has jumped into the Series boots and all with the completion of his purpose built 1964 Falcon Rallye Sprint which is set to debut at round three at Hidden Valley in July. 

An extremely versatile driver, John Bowe is the only man to have won the Australian Touring Car Championship, the Australian Sports Car Championship and the Australian Drivers Championship (Gold Star). JB has a keen sense of history and has hankered to get involved in the BIANTE TCM for some time. “I grew up watching these types of cars.

It was always great when guys like Norm Beechy and Bob Jane came down to race in Tassie” said Bowe. “I love the variety of cars and the guys involved in the BIANTE Series are a terrific bunch of blokes. I really enjoyed driving the Camaro at Clipsal. Its big and heavy but it’s got a lot of power so you can have a bit of fun with it.

The brakes are not exactly awe inspiring, although that will just be a case of some more familiarisation and we’ll be fine. I have a much greater appreciation of what guys like Allan Moffat had to deal with. You needed a lot more mechanical sympathy in those days compared to driving a V8 Supercar today”. 

John Bowe and the rest of the BIANTE boys will be back in action at Round Three of the BIANTE Touring Car Masters at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway , July 4-6, as a support category of the 2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series.

Darren Knight  

Round 3 - Darwin, July 4th - 6th

2008 BIANTE Touring Car Masters,

TIN TOPS TACKLE TOP END!

Press Release – 27 June 2008. 

Preview – Round Three - Hidden Valley, Darwin. July 4-6  

The BIANTE Touring Car Masters rejoin the V8 Supercar trail with their upcoming third round at Hidden Valley Raceway just outside Darwin. 

This will be the first time Territorians have had the chance to witness up close the thrilling spectacle of classic muscle cars of the `60s and early `70s battling for supremacy on the circuit.  Current BIANTE TCM points leader Gavin Bullas (1969 Boss Mustang) is one of a handful of the drivers with previous Hidden Valley experience in other categories.

Bullas was one of the front runners at Darwin’s V8 Ute round back in 2005 and after a clean sweep of all three races during round two at Oran Park is sure to be right at the pointy end. Darwin resident Phil Brock, is certainly no stranger to Hidden Valley and will definitely know the quick way around come race day.

The brother of racing great Peter, Phil has accepted an offer from Gavin Bullas to drive his thundering 351 Falcon and was quickly up to race pace during a brief test in the car at Oran Park. “Splitpin” was a fine driver in his own right in the early seventies and has been keeping sharp by racing a Commodore Cup car this season. 

Former Australian Touring Car Champion and Bathurst winner John Bowe returns to the BIANTE Touring Car Masters behind the wheel of Tony Hunter’s 1969 Chev Camaro. Bowe and the Camaro won two races at the opening round of the BIANTE Touring Car Masters at the Clipsal 500 earlier this year and with new sponsor WesTrac CAT aboard JB has now committed to the remainder of the Season.  Another Touring Car legend chomping at the bit will be Jim Richards.

The multiple Targa Tasmania winner will debut his brand new 1964 Falcon Rallye Sprint. The Falcon Sprint was originally developed for rallying and later became an extremely effective circuit racer. Featuring the mechanical specifications of a Mustang from the same era, but boasting a lot less weight the Sprint has great potential. Purpose built from the ground up to suit the BIANTE Touring Car Masters regulations, the Sprint does give away engine size to the lead pack but in “Gentleman Jim’s” hands anything is possible! 

Current Division Two points leader Garry Treloar (Charger) will have his hands full with the spirited racing in this class resulting in a three way tie for the round win at Oran Park. Rory O’Neill (Porsche 911), Ian McAllister (1964 Mustang) and Nigel Benson (XY Falcon) all finished equal on points. 

Treloar’s team mate Mick Wilson (Charger), John Nelson (Porsche) and the incredibly quick Trevor Talbot (Torana) will also all be primed to have a red hot go on a layout that can reward a well set up smaller car, particularly around the tighter back section of the circuit.  

Round three of the 2008 BIANTE Touring Car Masters kicks off on Friday 4th July with Practice at 0930 and Qualifying at 1150. Saturday brings the second qualifying session at 1025 and race one at 1415.

Two races on Sunday at 0925 and 1300 complete the programme.

BIANTE Touring Car Masters, The bug bites Bowe!

Press Release – 2 June 2008. 

2008 BIANTE Touring Car Masters Round Three, Hidden Valley, Darwin, July. 4-6. 

BIANTE bug bites Bowe Dual Bathurst winner and 1995 Australian Touring Car Champion John Bowe has confirmed he will be joining the BIANTE Touring Car Masters for all forthcoming rounds this season! Bowe will take the wheel of the stunning 1969 Chevy Camaro owned by fellow BIANTE TCM competitor Tony Hunter with support from WesTrac CAT. 

JB steered the Camaro to pole position and two victories first time out at the opening round of the 2008 BIANTE TCM at the Clipsal 500 back in February. Despite very little seat time prior to the Adelaide street race, Bowe quickly adapted to the unfamiliar 500 plus horse power beast and demonstrated the threat he will be over the course of the season.  

The Hunter Camaro was taken to BIANTE TCM round victories at Sandown and Phillip Island last year by another ATCC/Bathurst winner in Jim Richards. Jim has jumped into the Series boots and all with the completion of his purpose built 1964 Falcon Rallye Sprint which is set to debut at round three at Hidden Valley in July. 

An extremely versatile driver, John Bowe is the only man to have won the Australian Touring Car Championship, the Australian Sports Car Championship and the Australian Drivers Championship (Gold Star). JB has a keen sense of history and has hankered to get involved in the BIANTE TCM for some time. “I grew up watching these types of cars.

It was always great when guys like Norm Beechy and Bob Jane came down to race in Tassie” said Bowe. “I love the variety of cars and the guys involved in the BIANTE Series are a terrific bunch of blokes. I really enjoyed driving the Camaro at Clipsal. Its big and heavy but it’s got a lot of power so you can have a bit of fun with it.

The brakes are not exactly awe inspiring, although that will just be a case of some more familiarisation and we’ll be fine. I have a much greater appreciation of what guys like Allan Moffat had to deal with. You needed a lot more mechanical sympathy in those days compared to driving a V8 Supercar today”. 

John Bowe and the rest of the BIANTE boys will be back in action at Round Three of the BIANTE Touring Car Masters at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway , July 4-6, as a support category of the 2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series.

 Darren Knight    

John Bowe in the Tony Hunter 1969 Camaro in Adelaide for the Clipsal 500.

Entry List for Darwin 4-6 July, 2008