John Bowe is offering Australian motorsport fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in his Touring Car Masters Mustang.
The two-times Bathurst 1000 winner, a close friend to the late Jason Richards, is auctioning a passenger ride in his TCM Mustang – the first and only time Bowe will give away a hot lap in his championship winning Ford.
The silent auction will see all money donated to Richards widow Charlotte and her children Sienna and Olivia.
Those keen to get the opportunity to sit beside Bowe in the #18 Mustang, and raise money for the Richards family, are encouraged to bid on the silent auction. The individual who offers the largest amount will get to saddle up alongside Bowe.
Richards, a former V8 Supercars driver, passed away last December after a 14 month battle with a rare cancer.
Bowe says that he is doing whatever it takes to continue the fundraising for his close family friends.
“As you know, Jason and I were close mates, and I've continued a close relationship with the Richards family,” Bowe told Speedcafe.com.
“Jason was one of the most gifted drivers I've ever seen. He was a fantastic dad, a wonderful husband, loving son and one of my closest friends.
“I was always proud of him, he was very brave and tough – he believed. I look at his two little girls and I see the best bits of their mum and dad. Alice (Bowe's wife) and I are very close to the Richards girls. They baked cakes for my recent birthday … they're so sweet.
“There's been a lot of great fundraising initiatives for Richards and his family, and I've been thinking of ways to contribute even more. Giving away a hot lap in my Mustang – something I've never done before – is the least I can do.”
Send your bids to [email protected]. The silent auction closes on Sunday, May 20.
The passenger ride will be held ay Phillip Island on Friday, May 27 at 4pm.
The winner will also receive two tickets for Round 2 of the Touring Car Masters, supporting the Shannons Nationals, a John Bowe Racing Team garage shirt, team cap, two JB/Jase Cancer T-shirts and a souvenir photo with the winner, JB and the Mustang.