![thumb John Bowe on his way to victory in Race 1](https://speedcafe.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Mustang.jpg)
John Bowe has taken first blood on the streets of Surfers Paradise, winning Race 1 of the Touring Car Masters.
Bowe, driving his WesTrac/Wilson Security Ford Mustang, dominated the race, beating home Jim Richards in his Shannons Falcon Sprint.
Bowe started the race from pole and led every lap. The only box the two-time Bathurst 1000 winner didn't tick was the race's fastest lap. That honour went to Richards.
In the championship stakes, leader Andrew Miedecke had a horror run, completing just one lap before succumbing to a mechanical problem.
Class comeback man and former series champion Gavin Bullas (Chevrolet Camaro) took third place ahead of Terry Wyhoon (Ford Falcon XY GTHO), Eddie Abelnica (Ford Falcon XB Coupe), Graham Alexander (Holden HT Monaro), Keith Kassulke (Holden HQ Monaro), Tony Karanfilovski (Ford Falcon XY GTHO), Cameron Tilley (Ford Boss Mustang) and Steve Mason (Chevrolet Camaro).
Two more Touring Car Masters races will be held over the Armor All Gold Coast 600 weekend.
In the Auto One V8 Utes, championship men Ryal Harris and Chris Pither have locked out the front-row of the grid for tomorrow's first race.
Harris (VIP Petfoods Ford) secured pole, edging Pither (Ice Break Holden) by 0.2s.
Lining up behind the leading duo will be Ryan Hansford (Truckline Ford), Nathan Pretty (Monster Holden), David Sieders (Australian Industrial Supplies Ford), Cameron McConville (Bundaberg Holden), Grant Johnson (Hi-Tech Holden), Jack Elsegood (Coopers Clear Ford), Ben Dunn (Haymens Electrical Ford) and Charlie O'Brien (Future Assist Group Ford).
For a full guide to track activities over the Armor All Gold Coast 600, see below for Speedcafe.com's V8 Race Guide.