Bowe to see out career at PCR.

As revealed on Crash.net in January, John Bowe will see out his V8 Supercar career at Paul Cruickshank Racing, but has confirmed that the 2007 campaign will be his last.

V8 veteran Bowe officially confirmed his switch from Brad Jones Racing to PCR last night, but also revealed that he plans to retire from full-time racing at the end of the coming season. The 1995 V8 champion, he is the most senior driver in the current field but, despite being able to out pace many of his younger rivals, has decided to step back from full-time racing at the conclusion of the 14-round championship.

As a result, 2007 will be a season of firsts and lasts as the Ford legend is poised to break numerous records as he says farewell to many of the circuits that have become his home and lifeblood over the last four decades, including equalling Peter Brock's number of championship starts when the season kicks of in Adelaide's in March..

"After 36 years in the game - and 22 years in touring cars - I think it's time to step back and give some of these young blokes a chance in the series," Bowe joked, "I've been very lucky to have such a long and successful career doing what I love and this year I intend to finish my full-time racing career with a young, exciting team that has a long and prosperous future ahead."

Despite enjoying a good record at BJR, the elder statesman of V8 Supercar racing is clearly delighted to spend his final season in Australia's premier racing category with the series' youngest team, PCR having only made its full-time debut in 2006. The one-year deal sees Bowe reunited with his former Dick Johnson Racing mechanic Cruickshank, and is excited about the development programme PCR has planned for the coming season.

"I couldn't be happier to be driving for Paul Cruickshank Racing this year," Bowe said, "I've known Paul for a long time - we worked together at Dick Johnson Racing and had a lot of success together, including a Bathurst win - and, over the years, we've stayed in touch and remained close friends. Running his own V8 Supercar team has always been one of Paul's ambitions, so I was delighted to see him get it off the ground last year, even though I wasn't involved.

"Paul has been smart with how he's gone about it, putting good people, good facilities and the right resources in place, which you have to do to be successful in this game. Developing any new team takes time, but I think that my experience over the years can help speed up this process and that we can surprise a lot of people this year."

While he will be hanging up his helmet from full-time V8 Supercar competition at the conclusion of the season, Bowe insists that he remains as hungry as ever.

"I enjoy driving these cars, I enjoy racing and I'd like to think I'm still as competitive and motivated as when I started out racing, if not more so," he claimed, "But no-one can race for ever.

"That said, I'm not ready to hang up the helmet just yet - if I was, I'd have already retired. There is still a lot of work to do and a lot to achieve this year which I'm looking forward to. I'm committed to giving my all for Paul Cruickshank Racing this year and helping the team move forward."

Bowe will drive the Glenfords-sponsored Ford Falcon for the first time during the team's first test of the year at Queensland Raceway on 19 February, and the team is eager to start learning from his experience.

"We can't wait to get John into the car," Cruickshank said, "He has been at the top level of Australian motorsport for many years and has done everything there is to do. Along the way, he has collected the sort of experience you can't buy, especially for a young team like PCR.

"Being only our second season, we obviously still have a long way to go to achieve our long-term goals, but John will be a major asset in helping us work towards those. We have already made some significant developments to our race programme and intend to help John finish his career in fitting style."

Bowe will carry the #111 in honour of Cruickshank's close friend, Mark Porter, who passed away following an accident in the Development Series event at Bathurst in 2006.