Australian motorsport legends John Bowe and Glenn Seton will play a key role in the Aussie Driver Search program this year which will be held across a total of 10 events throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Bowe and Seton head a list of judges who will cast a critical eye over thousands of budding race drivers who will compete for life changing prizes including a full season in the 2019 Dunlop Super2 Series.
Bowe is honoured to have input into the program which has become the number one talent identification scheme in Australian Motorsport since being established three years ago.
“I’ve always tried to help youngsters. It’s difficult (motorsport) because unless you have a truck load of money it’s very hard to break into it,” Bowe said.
“So this program gives somebody an opportunity who may not have any backing behind them or parental help to make a name for themselves.
“It’s quite unique really. There is nothing else like it.
“I’m excited to be a part of it.
“Glenn (Seton) and I were mortal foes on the track but as we’ve raced into our middle age we’ve become quite good friends so it will be great to be part of the judging panel with him.
“We are quite different characters and we see different things in people.”
The news comes hard on the heels of Bowe’s induction into the CAMS Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame presented by Speedcafe.com.
Bowe, who at 63 still proves he is a competitive force behind the wheel in Touring Car Masters, was a loyal servant to Dick Johnson during the iconic team’s halcyon years when he won Bathurst in 1989 and 1994 before claiming the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1995.
Sitting on the judging panel alongside Bowe and double Australian Touring Car Champion Glenn Seton, is former Super2 Series Champions and regular Supercars co-drivers Steve Owen and Tony D’Alberto.
The rest of the panel comprises of three-time V8 Utes champion Ryal Harris, reigning Australian GT Series Champion Dom Storey and 2016 Aussie Driver Search winner Jaie Robson.
The panel will sift through the busy ADS schedule this year which kicks off with the first of 10 events at Sydney Motorsport Park on May 28.
As recently announced, the winner of the Pro Competition will receive a $600,000 budget to race in the Dunlop Super2 Championship next season.
Other categories include, Semi-Pro Competition (winner to receive a $150,000 racing budget), GT Competition ($60,000 budget to race in the Australian GT Championship), Amateur Competition ($50,000 budget) and Rookie Competition (drive and ride experiences).
Catering for all levels of skill and disciplines, the ADS has grown to offer a prize pool of close to $1 million with the finale set for Wakefield Park from December 11-12.
Applications for the 2018 Aussie Driver Search program open tomorrow, 4th February 2018, at 9am via www.aussiedriversearch.com
2018 Aussie Driver Search dates
May 28: Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW
June 12: Tailem Bend, South Australia
June 25: Winton, Victoria
July 12: Morgan Park, Queensland
August 8: Pukekohe, New Zealand
August 31: Barbagallo, Western Australia
September 20: Sandown, Victoria
October 24: Norwell, Queensland
November 6: Wakefield Park, NSW
December 11-12: Wakefield Park, NSW (finale)
