BATHURST legends Larry Perkins and John Bowe have been appointed members of the Order of Australia (AM), as part of the annual Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Both have been recognised for their services to motorsport as drivers and, in Perkins’ case, a team owner.
Perkins raced in Formula 1 before returning home to Australia and winning the Bathurst 1000 six times, the last three of which came with his own team.
BOOK PRE-ORDER: Perkins Engineering: The Cars, 1986-2008
Bowe’s career has featured two Bathurst wins and an Australian Touring Car Championship title, all achieved during a lengthy stint with Dick Johnson Racing.
His driving exploits remain ongoing, competing in the popular Touring Car Masters and a variety of historic racing.
Other motorsport figures to be awarded a Member in the General Division include former V8 Supercars boss Tony Cochrane and Motorsport Australia’s Andrew Papadopoulos.
Honoured for significant service to motorsport administration, Cochrane was a key figure in the enormous growth of the category from 1997 before eventually exiting in 2012.
Papadopoulos was Motorsport Australia’s President from 2008 to 2020 and now holds the title of President of Honour at the organisation.
The work of Dr Michael Henderson (service to motor vehicle safety) and Trent Smyth (international relations, motorsport and business) was also recognised.
Full list of motorsport citations
Officer in the General Division (AO)
Dr Michael Henderson: For distinguished service to motor vehicle and motorsport safety, and to the prevention of road trauma.
Member in the General Division (AM)
John Bowe: For significant service to motorsport as a touring car driver.
Tony Cochrane: For significant service to sports administration, and to entertainment production.
Andrew Papadopoulos: For significant service to motorsport, and to driver safety and education.
Larry Perkins: For significant service to motorsport as a touring car driver and team owner.
Trent Smyth: For significant service to international relations, to motorsport, and to business.
