Former Ford/DJR touring car racing team-mates Johnson and Bowe will be reunited this August at Leyburn, as part of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Australian Grand Prix run at Leyburn in 1949. At the event they will join 1970s Formula 5000 legends Bruce Allison and Warwick Brown (a former Australian Grand Prix winner; Brown also drove for Dick Johnson's team at Bathurst in 1978), along with former HDT ace and noted touring car racing engineer Ron Harrop.

Bowe and Johnson formed a successful and long-term partnership at Dick’s Shell-backed Ford team in the late ‘80s and ‘90s, the pair delivering two Bathurst 1000 and three Australian Touring Car Championship titles between them.

The drivers will take part in a range of activities to celebrate the anniversary, including autograph sessions and the official opening and commemoration ceremony. Bowe also will compete in the sprints in a Ford Escort.

Sprints President Tricia Chant said the addition of Johnson and Bowe to the racing VIPs list was great news for spectators.

“Dick and JB are two of the most popular personalities in Australian motorsport with a true enthusiast’s feel for the type of grassroots event we stage at Leyburn. It will be an honour to have them here alongside our other guests.”

The Sprints competition starts at 8am on the Saturday and Sunday. Adult tickets are available on-line or at the gate for $25 a day or $35 for the weekend, with children under 14 free. On-street parking is free. The event also is holding a raffle to win a Bathurst 1000 weekend for two valued at more than $11,000 or five $500 Supercheap Auto vouchers. Tickets can be bought on the website: historicleyburnsprints.com.au

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