Paul Dumbrell will return to the V8 Supercars in the next few years, according to Australian Touring Car legend John Bowe.
Dumbrell has called time on his 11-year V8 career, pulling stumps at the conclusion of the Sydney Telstra 500 next month.
After scoring pole and taking fourth place in Sunday’s race at Symmons Plains last weekend, Dumbrell is set to leave the game at the peek of his powers to concentrate on his senior position at Automotive Brands (the company that owns automotive retail chain Autobarn, amongst others).
Bowe, a two-time Bathurst 1000 winner and current leader of the Touring Car Masters Series, is adamant that Dumbrell is hanging up his floro-coloured helmet too early.
Speaking on the latest episode of radio program V8 Nation, Bowe predicts that it will only be a few years before ‘PD’ gets itchy feet.
“I’m disappointed you’re retiring. I don’t think you should retire. You’re only a young man,” Bowe told Dumbrell on the 31st episode of V8 Nation.
“I know what will happen – I’ll give you a prediction with my crystal ball – in a couple of years, you’ll be back in it.
“I know you have a massively big responsibility with Autobarn. It’s a very successful business and it needs you, but the fact is that motor racing has been part of your life since you were a kid, and you’re still not very old, so you’ll be back.”
While he is leaving the full-time seat, it won’t be the last time you see Dumbrell driving a V8 Supercar. The 28-year-old will compete in the V8 endurance races, and is the leading contender to drive with the all-conquering TeamVodafone in next year’s Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000.
For more with V8 Nation, you can follow the radio program on Twitter – @v8nation
See below for this week’s episode of V8 Nation.
