It's official: Bowe and CAT Racing split - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

FPRXR-6 · 10-14-2001, 22:26

Bowe will no longer drive the #600 Caterpillar-sponsored Ford Falcon and Briggs will use the remaining races in the 2001 Shell Championship Series to "audition" drivers for Briggs Motorsport�s planned 2002 expansion.
"John has played a key role in the formation of this team, but we have decided to go our separate ways," Briggs said.

"I would like to thank him for his efforts with the team and wish him the best of luck for his future endeavors.

"We are looking at a number of drivers to try at Pukekohe and Sandown before finalising our complete driver squad for next season."

The Caterpillar #600 Falcon will not appear at the Gold Coast Indy support races, with damage from the recent V8 Supercar 1000 still being repaired.

"We have a lot of work still to do on the car," Briggs said.

"The paint will probably still be wet when we load it into the truck for New Zealand."

Bowe intends to remain in the sport that has earned him the 1995 V8 Supercar championship and two Bathurst victories.

"Although we have decided to part company, I have really enjoyed my time with Cat Racing and have gained lot of friends from the entire experience," Bowe said.

"The entire Caterpillar "family" has been wonderful supporters for myself and this team and I truly value their friendship and support.

"I certainly intend to continue to compete in V8 Supercars and after the Bathurst weekend, I remain confident I can still be very competitive."

Team sponsor Caterpillar of Australia has also expressed its thanks to John for his efforts in representing the company in V8 Supercar racing.

"The decision to part company is unfortunate as John Bowe is considered a friend of Caterpillar," Caterpillar�s Michael Leyden said.

"He has done a great job working with Caterpillar and is highly regarded by our customers and those he has come in contact with over the formative years of Cat Racing.

"We thank John for his efforts over the past three years and wish him the utmost success for the future."

puts99 · 10-14-2001, 22:30

I wonder who'll replace him... :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

FPRXR-6 · 10-14-2001, 22:35

I reckon that Simon Wills will drive the CAT car and hopefully Bowe can find a another Ford team to drive for.
If he goes to Holden i'll be very p!ssed off.

laminge · 10-14-2001, 22:37

Ahhh Man that sucks

Bowe has done so much for the team.

There has to be something else on the cards????

Hobbes · 10-14-2001, 22:39

Quote:

If he goes to Holden i'll be very p!ssed off.

Why?

HSE2 · 10-14-2001, 22:39

John is not going to drive for Holden.

Cobra · 10-14-2001, 22:54

No way John is going to drive a Holden. wasn't he going to drive for BUD racing next year? He already drives the Bud Mustang so he will prolly get the full time job of driving the BUD V8 supercar.

Adam W · 10-14-2001, 23:26

Yeah that what I was thinking too, seems like a logical step for him to jump into the Bud Racing Falcon, since he already drives for PHR in GTP.

ZH_302 · 10-14-2001, 23:46

I doubt very much that Bowey would drive for a holden team next year, he still has strong ties with Tickford in developing their road cars.
He helped with the T3 series too, as you all have probably read in the latest Wheels mag.

The_RAT · 10-15-2001, 02:54

**** happens eh

if he does so much for ford and ford is doin so much with gibson lately what are the odds of him driving for gibson next year and i mean a lowndes and bowe driver lineup would have to be the best out there and ready to bring down hrt

plus would be good to see as i wasn't too pleased when lowndes beat bowe in 96

i wonder how crompton would feel if this happend hehehe