Two key Dick Johnson Racing Falcons will be revealed in public for the first time together in three decades at the 2025 Canberra Festival of Speed.
The second annual event will be held at Thoroughbred Park on January 25-26 and host the reunion of the famous Shell duo following a long restoration process by JCV Automotive.
EB2 was the first Falcon built conforming to the 1993 rules after DJR had revealed an early iteration with more freedoms at Oran Park’s 1992 season finale.
The concept was developed by Neal Lowe, but had the engine repositioned, wheel arches tubbed and lightened panels, which was disallowed by CAMS forcing DJR to build up two new Falcons.
Raced by Bowe to opening round success at the first Group 3A era in 1993 held at the now defunct Amaroo Park, EB2 scored third in title after scoring seconds at Phillip Island and Eastern Creek, with a third coming at Lakeside.
Meanwhile, team owner Dick Johnson was fifth in the title driving EB3 as he took third at the Symmons Plains and second at his home circuit Lakeside, where he scored one of his two race wins in 1993.
Bowe joined Johnson in EB3 for Bathurst, but it proved a disaster when a lapped competitor collided with the Queenslander at Sulman Park leading to a heavy crash into the concrete.
EB3 was never raced again, but EB2 continued in Bowe’s hand for the first part of 1994 before moving to EB5, which was the chassis to win Bathurst that season.
Adding another layer to the reveal will be Bowe, as he’s reunited with part of his racing history.
“I can’t wait to reunite with these two very special treasures from my racing career,” said Bowe.
“Between them, they’re the first V8s I raced in the ATCC and the Bathurst 1000, and I’ve raced plenty since!
“These cars were a joy to drive after all the turbo lag of the Sierras from the years before and without the aerodynamic downforce of today’s Supercars, they really put the emphasis on the driver to get the best out of them.”
Canberra Festival of Speed director Martin Tanti is thrilled to welcome two exhibits of Australian V8 racing’s infancy.
“The sights and sounds of these iconic DJR vehicles embody
the very heart and soul of Australian motorsport. Bringing them together for the first time in 31 years is nothing short
of extraordinary – a rare and thrilling chance to relive the glory days of racing.
“Such legendary cars are rarely seen in public, which makes their appearance at the Canberra Festival of Speed a truly special moment for fans,” said Tanti.
“Their addition to our already stellar Australian motorsport line-up will help us celebrate the evolution of these machines, live on the circuit, in all their roaring glory.”
The Canberra Festival of Speed held its first event earlier this year and welcomed exotic vehicles in addition to Supercars hometown hero Cameron Hill in his Matt Stone Racing Chevrolet Camaro.
The second event is due to take place on January 25-26, 2025.