John Bowers, Lotus 25 owner RIP
The very sad news today is that John Bowers has died. Classic Team Lotus got to know John when in 2008 he purchased the 1963 Lotus Type 25 chassis R4 at auction in Australia, from the Estate of the Hon John Dawson-Damer. He had not intended to buy R4, but as the auction played out - and with the encouragement of wife Margaret – he decided on the spot that he should. (John was a brilliant economist and was particularly able at assessing situations and reacting quickly, with logical, sound decisions. Much like Margaret, in fact.)
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.