John Bowers, Lotus 25 owner RIP

John and Margaret with R4 at their first Revival, in 2009

Margaret reacted generously to the purchase and encouraged John to follow his instinct of having the car race at the European F1 circuits where Jim Clark had raced the car so successfully. Classic Team Lotus was delighted to support John in this venture and was pleased to introduce him to Andy Middlehurst as a candidate to drive.  John and Andy got on well and agreed to campaign the car together. Veteran Team Lotus Chief Mechanic Bob Dance – who ran Jim Clark in period – took over preparing for and running the car at events.  A dream team.

Bob, Andy, John and Clive with R4 displaying Revival victory Garland

Thus began an extraordinary record of success in the ever-popular historic racing category for Pre 1966 1.5-litre Formula One cars.  John’s car, so ably driven by Andy, dominated the two Blue Riband events; the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique and the Goodwood Revival Glover Trophy, winning an extraordinary five and nine times, respectively.  Furthermore, John campaigned his car in the Pre 1966 series of races organised by the Historic Grand Prix Cars Association, with which he shared a common objective of racing 1960s F1 cars at the famous European circuits.

John, Lewis and Andy celebrating the brilliant Monaco win this year

In this way John fulfilled his principal ambition of enabling motor sport enthusiasts around the world to see Jim Clark’s famous Lotus on track and hearing the beautiful sound of its Coventry Climax V8 engine.

Andy in R4 at speed at Monaco

Margaret supported John’s endeavours at every opportunity, frequently making the long journey to Europe to accompany him to the races.  Tragically, in 2014 Margaret died of cancer and John lost his soul mate.  With the support of his children – Karen and Colin – John chose to maintain his racing activities, so 25/R4 carried on winning, with Andy at the wheel.

John and Andy at the Monaco prize giving for the 9th Monaco Historique

As usual, this year John entered R4 for both Monaco and Goodwood, by now run by Lewis Cullington, since Bob’s retirement.  Happily, Andy was able to ‘do the double’ with especially brilliant drives to beat the challenging Ferrari in two exceptionally exciting races.  John attended Monaco and was able to watch the Goodwood live feed from ‘down under’. John reckoned Andy’s driving at Goodwood was “sublime”.  Whenever he was unable to attend a race, he would be in close contact with Andy during the weekend.  John was a great one for working out the race strategy.  In keeping with Lotus Founder Colin Chapman, John would work out the race fuel required, to the absolute minimum.  (Actually,, it is fair to say that 25/R4 had less ‘fuel pressure’ problems – so to speak - in its second life, in comparison to its first. ….)

John considered Andy's winning drive at this year's Revival as sublime

John died en route to watch his pride and joy race again at Spa Francorchamps, the circuit which held special memories for him as it was Margaret’s favourite.  John’s family has requested that R4 races as planned, as this is what John would have wanted.

Classic Team Lotus will miss John greatly.  It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work together with John for so many years. John was a motivational team player who took great pleasure from the excitement of the team and the spectators whenever his car was victorious (more often than not).  His generosity of spirit was much appreciated.

Above all, John was a family man, so our thoughts are with Margaret and John’s children Karen and Colin and grandsons Henry, Hugo, Flynn and Max.

John Bowers 1948 to 2024.  Thank you so much for your friendship and guidance and for celebrating Team Lotus and Jim Clark in such a wonderful manner.  May you rest in peace, together with Margaret.

From your teammates at Classic Team Lotus.

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