There will be one very interested person watching the S5000 cars race at Symmons Plains this weekend in the opening round of the ARG Australian Drivers Championship (Gold Star).
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On March 23, 1980, Tasmania's John Bowe lined up on the front row in his Ansett Elfin Formula 5000 alongside pole sitter Alfredo Costanzo in his Lola 430 for round three of the championship.
Over the next 30 laps fans were treated to a great battle as the 500-plus horsepower V8 open-wheel cars were driven to the limit, repeatedly smashing John McCormack's eight-year-old record of 52.6 seconds.
Bowe won by the narrowest of margins but Costanzo claimed the lap record with a time of 50.66 seconds which still stands.
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Bowe recounted the race this week recalling how he had a couple of issues both in the race and afterwards.
"I couldn't get fourth gear late in the race and Costanzo caught me with one lap to go so it was a fight to finish. Then he lodged a protest claiming I had passed under a yellow flag but it was dismissed," said the two-time Australian Drivers Champion and Bathurst 100 winner.
Little wonder Bowe said he and Costanzo, a four time champion, were not friends back then but "we are now".
Asked if the lap record will be broken this weekend, Bowe was in no doubt.
"Providing it's fine there are a number of fine young drivers who could get into the 47-second bracket and I am expecting some very close racing."
Qualifying will be on Sunday and Monday with one race on Monday to be followed by two races on Tuesday.
As an added incentive the winner of the round will receive the John McCormack Trophy from the three-time Australian Gold Star champion and Tasmanian Motorsport Hall of Fame legend.
The S5000 car is a modern day version of the cars that McCormack, Bowe and Costanzo drove in period that were loud, incredibly fast and brutal to drive and the sight and sound of the new cars will be equally as stunning.
Symmons Plains will host four national and three support categories in the inaugural Race Tasmania, which runs from Sunday through to Tuesday.
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