Bowe back for Bathurst.

Now-retired V8 Supercar driver John Bowe will make an early return to Mount Panorama next February for his second start in the WPS Bathurst 12-Hour.

Bowe will again take the wheel of Chris Delfsma's Century 21 Ford XR8, after the pair steered it with former NRL and V8 Ute star Jack Elsegood to a class win and ninth outright in 2007's running of the Event.

This time around, Bowe and Delfsma will be joined by West Australian Paul Stubber, with Bowe enthusiastic to be returning to the Event.

"I think the WPS Bathurst 12 Hour is a terrific event and I wholeheartedly support it which is why I am doing it really," said Bowe. "I believe in the concept of a production race and last year was a really good experience for me - it was fun and it was meaningful to the motoring industry which I feel is important.

"Chris Delfsma is a really good bloke, I really enjoyed the experience of driving with him last year and I also know Paul Stubber as I have seen him around the traps for years when he raced his Camaro, so I'm really looking forward to getting in there with them both.

"It will be less of a pressure cooker environment than V8s, I just want to do racing for the enjoyment of it, and that's why I am doing it as I truly think it's a terrific event - it is so much fun while still being serious.

"Anybody that is thinking about doing it should just get off their backside and do it because it is truly one of motor racing's enjoyable events."

Team owner Delfsma said he was delighted to welcome Bowe back to the Century 21 entry after they drove to such an impressive result together in April.

"Obviously I am delighted to have 'JB' back on board with the team for 2008 after such a great result earlier this year," said Delfsma. "We were wrapped with the result - we went there to win our class and we were able to do that comfortably and then top it off with a top ten outright finish, so in 2008 we will be raising the bar.

"The car will be prepared the same as last year as the performance of the Century 21 Ford XR8 was just flawless with no problems at all and only scheduled stops for brake pad changes required.

"We are heading back to the WPS Bathurst 12 Hour with a great car, a great crew and drivers like 'JB' and Paul on board - so you can be sure we will be aiming for high results."

Endurance regular Stubber has recently competed in the N?rburgring and Dubai 24 hours, complementing his long and successful career in Historics racing.

The 2008 WPS Bathurst Motor Festival will be held at Mount Panorama on February 8-10, incorporating the WPS Bathurst 12 Hour on Sunday February 10.