23 replies to this topic

[TerryS]

It has been announced that Bob Jane has died from prostate cancer. He was 88.

What an enormous contribution he made to Australian motor racing.

A list of his cars would be so long and many are absolute gems.

[Michael Ferner]

Sad to hear.

[eldougo]

Sad news indeed the passing of an Australian Legend ..

 

Bob Jane, tyre businessman and car racing legend, dies aged 88 from prostate cancer

Car racing legend and prominent businessman Bob Jane has died aged 88 after fighting prostate cancer.

Jane is best known for the hugely successful tyre retailer across Australia, Bob Jane T-Marts.

He is also one of Australia's most famous racing car drivers and a four-time winner of the Armstrong 500, which became the Bathurst 1000.

Edited by eldougo, 29 September 2018 - 06:00.

[gtsmunro]

RIP Bob Jane.

[Lee Nicolle]

Not a bloke I liked personally but recognise the huge amounts he has put into motorsport over 60 plus years.

In recent times controversial for the wrong reasons. Which itself was very sad. 

Read the Bob Jane thread for the hilights as well as the low lights of his life and career.

Last time I saw him was 4 or 5 years ago having morning tea with Clem Smith at Clems yard. Sometimes some interesting faces turned up there.

But RIP Bob and condolences to his family and friends.

Edited by Lee Nicolle, 29 September 2018 - 09:07.

[JacnGille]

Sad news

[Bloggsworth]

Not a bloke I liked personally but recognise the huge amounts he has put into motorsport over 60 plus years.

In recent times controversial for the wrong reasons. Which itself was very sad. 

Read the Bob Jane thread for the hilights as well as the low lights of his life and career.

Last time I saw him was 4 or 5 years ago having morning tea with Clem Smith at Clems yard. Sometimes some interesting faces turned up there.

But RIP Bob and condolences to his family and friends.

 

Eulogised with faint praise...

[TerryS]

My favourite Bob Jane car was his white Jaguar Mk2. This is probably because it won the main race at the first race meeting I went to.

This was in December 1962 at Warwick Farm and the race was the AJC Trophy.

I have a print of the painting of the car above my desk in my study. I got Bob to sign it at Eastern Creek about 5 years ago.

There were legendary races (and clashes) between Bob and Allan Moffat, particularly at Oran Park, Calder and Warwick Farm.
I don't believe either were naturally gifted drivers, but got to the top through sheer guts and dogged determination.

Bob was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 1997, so he managed to live another 20 years.
I personally was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer this year and I hope I get to live another 20 years.

Amongst other things Bob had the first semi trailer transporter in Australia. These are common now but back then most cars were on open trailers or flat bed trucks.
I think this transporter went to Garry Rogers.

With Bob's passing I hope that Rodney stops his unrelenting disparaging and denigration of his father.

[Ray Bell]

Actually, today's Sunday Telegraph article quotes Rodney as saying that he lost his best friend in battling with his father...

[ellrosso]

Yes I recall Rodney being interviewed outside court after winning the battle with his father and saying he got no pleasure whatsoever from the outcome. RIP Bob Jane. I will post some pics next week showing some of the cars he raced for the benefit of TNF'rs not in Australia who may not be aware of his background. A huge loss for Australian Motorsport.

[TerryS]

Actually, today's Sunday Telegraph article quotes Rodney as saying that he lost his best friend in battling with his father...

Ray the Daily Telegraph story you quote may actually be from May 2013 (as below)

I think this is important to note to put it into context.

You should have quoted this bit from Rodney;

"Every media story they look fondly at Bob as a legend and I'm the second-generation person who has come in and received everything on a silver spoon and taken everything away fro him."

I believe this is fairly common that a father starts a business, develops it and then a greedy and ambitious son wants to take over after the hard work has been done.

https://www.dailytel...b9d2eff0f6b7d76

Edited by TerryS, 02 October 2018 - 02:12.

[Ray Bell]

I read that newspaper at McDonalds on Sunday, Terry...

That's why I said it was from "today's Sunday Telegraph."

[Ray Bell]

I just came across this again...

 

 

...all three now gone.

[ellrosso]

Great shot Ray - terrific period atmosphere. I just wanted to post a small selection of shots related to Bob from the ORP collection. Some mean something to me because I was there or I took the shot, others because of their impact on certain drivers

or Australian Motorsport in general. Bevan Gibson, John Harvey are there. He gave Bevan a huge opportunity with a job and a drive in the Elfin 400, unfortunately with tragic results. He stuck by John after his Bathurst accident till he recovered (after a long rehab period) to continue his racing career. The Calder AGP's which eventually led to Adelaide getting the 1985 World Championship round, the ATCC round at Oran Park in 1971, the lightweight E type, Porsche 962 - so many iconic cars went through Bob's hands. So much dedication to advancing Aust motorsport and creating opportunities. Yes, he was a tough businessman and put some people offside, but he put a lot of money where his mouth was and was incredibly passionate about cars and motorsport.

[Ray Bell]

Like many things, Lindsay, it's a matter of time and place...

I don't know how I got to that meeting, but I probably hitch-hiked or bummed a lift with someone. I'm thinking, seeing as I was on the spot to take this pic on the Sunday morning it must have been the time I slept on the school verandah across the road from the motel.

All very fortuitous. Wal was busy getting his car prepared and Bob and Pete have wandered out to take a bit of a look.

As for your pic of the Bob Jane transporter, why isn't it on the 'Transporters' thread?

I've been waiting for over a decade for a pic of it to turn up there. That truck and Malcolm Bailey's.

[bradbury west]

Ray, what is the blue car on the trailer in your photo?. It looks Turner- ish, although the light looks AC Ace ish. Please remind us non Australians who the three are in the photo.
Lindsay , thanks for the transporter shot. I will forward a copy to Bjørn for his files if that is OK.
Roger Lund

[Ray Bell]

Yes, it is a Turner, Roger...

Bob Jane is looking down into the engine bay of the Turner, Ian (Pete) Geoghegan is in pyjamas and Wal Donnelly is working on the car.

The utility is a Holden, either an EJ or an EH.

Paul Hamilton was to buy that Turner from Wal and race it successfully for a few years, there are many other posts about this car.




.

Edited by Ray Bell, 27 October 2018 - 07:08.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by ellrosso
.....I just wanted to post a small selection of shots related to Bob from the ORP collection.....

Just a quick look at John Sheppard in the background shows this was not one of Tasmania's nicest days.

The he wrapped up the ASCC with this win.

Sheppard was to stay with Jane for years.



.

Edited by Ray Bell, 17 October 2018 - 13:11.

[Ray Bell]

Is that Pat Purcell to the right of Harvey?

[bradbury west]

Thanks, Ray
RL

[ellrosso]

Yes I'll put those two plus some others into the transporters thread. I always seem to be pushed for time when I go on here so other alternatives are not top of mind. I didn't get all the Bob Jane pics on that I had set aside either so I'll try and get those on next week too

[Lee Nicolle]

I can remember  passing that Transporter on the way to PI in Garry Rogers signage. Mid-late 90s. Looked small compared with most even then.

A furniture pantech originally?

[Ray Bell]

Here's one of my favourites...



And one which didn't work out so well...



That's on the day before the one looking over the Turner. Jane was to finish fourth in the Australian Tourist Trophy that day, Pete Geoghegan won it and Wal Donnelly was some laps behind in sixth place. So all three from my Chermside Caravilla pic finished.

[SJ Lambert]

Vale Bob