The Roaring Season

A true entertainer has left us. Bob Jane has passed away at age 88. RIP.

RIP Bob Jane.

Unfortunately for Australian motor racing, Bob's legacy ended about twenty years ago...

His various eccentricities meant that he was no longer focussed in the right direction and his failing family relationships took away his wherewithal and his will.

This put paid to Calder and AIR and his grand plans. Sad but very true.

Steve Holmes wrote:A true entertainer has left us. Bob Jane has passed away at age 88. RIP.

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This lightweight E type was sold in Arizona in January 2017 for AUD 11 M (including buyers premium).

Unfortunately Bob only got AUD 80 k for it when he sold it back in the day.

Such a sad ending to such a big name in Australian motor racing.
There must be many stories out there on this saga.

(Ken H)

Ray Bell wrote:Unfortunately for Australian motor racing, Bob's legacy ended about twenty years ago...

.

Ray, won't anyone who dies in their eighties have had their motor racing legacy end at least twenty years earlier?

Not if they're in some kind of administrative position, Terry...

Bob owned two circuits, but they fell into disrepair and disuse years ago. He had the power to revive them much more recently but didn't.

Of interest, he decided about six months ago to bring his legal action against the CAMS to an end. He also had it written into his business constitutions that they would no longer carry on with such actions.

Bob's legacy includes the fact that he brought the intransigent CAMS to their knees and their power brokers to the realisation that they could be on their knees too. The success of the other avenues for motor sport oversight in Australia are a direct result of his efforts.

Bob Jane was one of the few promoters who didn't bend over the table for CAMS or ANDRA. Unfortunately it is very difficult to fight city hall and win.

He was also one of the very few promoters...

He made things happen, often against the odds.

But he also had his wins against the CAMS. The problem, as he explained it, was that he never drove the knife in when he had them on their knees. "If I had there would be nobody to run motor racing," he said.

I took this photo on a Sunday morning late in 1965...

Wal Donnelly had the head off his Turner out front of the Chermside Caravilla motel and was getting it back together for the races that day, the day of the Australian Tourist Trophy.



Pete Geoghegan would win that race in the Lotus 23B, Jane would fill fourth in the lightweight E-Type, Donnelly was sixth.

You'd never have predicted that result at the time this pic was taken...

One of my favourite pics...



The scant crowd on the Mountain saw a fantastic race that day.

For those outside Australia who may not be completely familiar with Bob Jane here is a wonderful tribute:

https://www.supercars.com/news/championship/bob-jane-an-australian-original/

Could go on the Model Cars thread too !! Ehh Chaindrive ??