Bowe ties up new V8 venture

I know because his wife, Alice, tells me. And I have years and years of proof.

The one-time star of V8 Supercar racing shows absolutely no sign of slowing down as his personal odometer clicks through the fifties.

He was second in this year's Biante Championship for classic muscle cars, racing a bellowing V8-powered Chevrolet Camaro he reckons is far more fun than anything in the V8 Supercar series.

Bowe also also just parked a 1960s Jaguar E-Type in the garage, after clearing space by selling his Porsche Cayman, as he continues to spin the automotive merry-go-round in search of something new and exciting.

Which brings us around to his newest business venture.

Bowe already has an advanced driving operation which is run by his hard working brother Terry, but now he has moved into a program to put ordinary punters behind the wheel of a racecar.

He is using his three-year-old energy to spearhead a national expansion of V8RACE, which has 80 dates booked for 2009 in every state - except Bowe's own, Tasmania.

"We are making driving a V8 race car on a race track affordable and it's an experience that will stay with you forever," says Bowe.

"For a couple of hundred bucks you can have a shot and see how you go. They look and sound like a V8 Supercar but are easy enough for anyone to drive."

There are more than 20 V8-powered Fords and Holdens in the V8RACE Experience fleet and Bowe has given the program a tickle with a 'Treasure Hunt' boost that's good for free rides, extra laps and discounts.

Hot laps in the V8RACE program start at $99 and drivers are prices from $229 to $299.