Bob Jane
Robert Frederick "Bob" Jane (18 December 1929 – 28 September 2018) was an Australian racing driver, motorsport promoter, and businessman best known as the founder of the Bob Jane T-Marts chain of tyre retail stores.[1][2] A dominant figure in Australian touring car racing during the 1960s and early 1970s, Jane secured four Australian Touring Car Championship titles in 1962, 1963, 1971, and 1972, along with four victories in the prestigious Armstrong 500 endurance race (1961, 1962, 1963, and 1964), which later evolved into the Bathurst 1000.[3][4][5] His racing success, combined with his entrepreneurial ventures in the automotive sector, established him as a pivotal influence in Australian motorsport and tyre retail.[6] Born in the inner Melbourne suburb of Brunswick as the eldest of three children, Jane developed an early passion for cars and mechanics, leading him to open his first car dealership in 1951 at the age of 21 alongside his brother Bill.[2][3] He entered competitive racing in 1956, quickly rising to prominence with wins in over 300 events, including multiple class victories and outright successes in production car racing.[2][3] Jane's business acumen paralleled his racing prowess; after expanding his dealerships to nine outlets by 1968, he launched his tyre retail operations, opening the first Bob Jane Tyre store in Haberfield, New South Wales, in 1964, followed by a Melbourne location in 1965 and the first franchised Bob Jane T-Marts in 1972.[3] By the late 1970s, the chain had grown to nearly 30 stores, expanding to over 130 by the 1980s and 1990s, making it one of Australia's largest independent tyre retailers.[3] Beyond racing and retail, Jane was a visionary promoter who invested heavily in motorsport infrastructure, notably constructing the $54 million Thunderdome speedway at Calder Park Raceway, which opened in 1987 and hosted major events until its closure in 2000.[2] Inducted into the V8 Supercars Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 2016, he was remembered as a tough, passionate competitor and mentor whose legacy spanned track victories, business innovation, and family involvement—his son Rodney later became CEO of Bob Jane Corporation in 2002.[4][6][3] Jane passed away in Melbourne after a long battle with prostate cancer, leaving behind children including Courtney, Charlotte, Robert, and Rodney.[2]Early Life and Background
Childhood and Entry into Motorsport
Robert Frederick Jane was born on 18 December 1929 in Brunswick, an inner-city suburb of Melbourne, Australia, to working-class parents descended from Cornish miners who had migrated to Australia in the 19th century.[7] As the eldest of three children, he grew up in humble circumstances on the mean streets of Brunswick during the Great Depression and World War II, where economic hardship fostered a resilient character amid limited opportunities.[8] Jane's early fascination with automobiles emerged in the post-World War II era, a time of economic recovery and burgeoning car ownership in Australia. He left school in his mid-teens to enter the workforce, developing practical skills with engines and vehicles through work as a mechanic.[9] This hands-on experience instilled a deep understanding of automotive technology, later fueling his business ventures in car parts and tyres. Prior to motorsport, Jane excelled as a champion bicycle racer, holding state records in the early 1950s.[9] His initial foray into motorsport occurred in 1956 through circuit racing at venues like Fishermans Bend in Melbourne, where he quickly developed an aggressive driving style characterized by bold overtakes and unrelenting pace that became his trademark.[5] In the mid-1950s, Jane participated in Victorian hillclimbing events such as those at Hepburn Springs, which elevated his profile among local racing enthusiasts and established him as a rising talent in the state's motorsport scene.[10]Initial Business Ventures
In his mid-teens after leaving school, Bob Jane honed his mechanical skills working in Melbourne garages during the post-World War II economic recovery.[9] These hands-on experiences in local workshops equipped him with expertise in automotive engineering, which he applied to servicing everyday vehicles for ordinary drivers facing material constraints.[9] At age 21 in 1951, Jane transitioned to entrepreneurship by opening his first car dealership alongside his brother Bill, capitalizing on growing demand for vehicles.[2][3] By the late 1950s, he formalized his operations into Bob Jane Autoland, a venture specializing in distributing spare parts for European marques such as Jaguar and Alfa Romeo, navigating challenges like ongoing post-war shortages of raw materials and import restrictions that limited availability and drove up costs for small operators.[3] This focus on affordable parts and services catered to budget-conscious motorists, helping Jane build a reputation for reliability in Melbourne's competitive automotive market.[9] The profits from these initial ventures directly supported Jane's burgeoning interest in motorsport, enabling him to acquire and maintain early race cars, including Jaguars that aligned with his business in their parts supply.[3] His practical testing of components through racing provided valuable insights that informed his commercial offerings in repairs and modifications.[5]Business Career
Founding of Bob Jane T-Marts
The first Bob Jane tyre retail store opened in Haberfield, New South Wales, in 1964, followed by a second store in Melbourne in 1965. The first franchised store under the Bob Jane T-Marts brand opened in Artarmon, New South Wales, in 1972.[3] Drawing from his extensive experience as a successful race car driver, Jane emphasized the critical role of superior tyres in vehicle performance and safety, a principle honed through his victories in major events like the Armstrong 500. This racing background informed the company's core focus on premium brands, particularly Dunlop, which Jane championed for their reliability and engineering excellence in both motorsport and everyday driving.[11][3][12] The motivation for launching the tyre retail operations stemmed directly from Jane's racing career, where he witnessed firsthand the dangers of substandard tyres, leading him to advocate for safer alternatives over cheaper options like retreads following personal family tragedies later in life. By prioritizing premium, new-condition tyres, the stores aimed to educate consumers on safety benefits, aligning with Jane's post-racing push for industry standards that favored quality over cost-cutting measures. This approach was self-funded primarily through earnings from his racing successes and early automotive ventures, allowing Jane to maintain control without external investors or intermediaries in the supply chain.[13][14] Early expansion relied heavily on Jane's celebrity status in Australian motorsport, using his fame to market the brand through promotional ties to racing events and endorsements that highlighted tyre performance. By the late 1960s, the chain had grown to multiple locations across Victoria, adopting a direct-to-consumer sales model that bypassed traditional distributors to offer competitive pricing on quality products. This strategy not only built customer trust but also positioned T-Marts as a leader in tyre safety and innovation within the region.[12][15]Expansion and Industry Influence
In the 1970s and 1980s, Bob Jane T-Marts expanded nationwide, growing from nearly 30 stores by the end of the 1970s to over 130 by the 1990s primarily through its franchising model.[3][13] This growth established a presence in every Australian state and territory during the 1980s and 1990s, solidifying the chain as a major player in the tyre retail sector.[13] Bob Jane T-Marts utilized racing sponsorships to promote tyre sales and demonstrate product performance.[16] Bob Jane was a vocal advocate against the use of retreaded tyres, emphasizing their safety risks, a position reinforced by the tragic 1991 car accident involving his daughter Georgina, caused by a retreaded tyre failure.[17] As a result, Bob Jane T-Marts became and remains Australia's only major tyre retailer that does not sell retreaded tyres, influencing broader industry awareness of tyre safety standards.[17] The expansion and operations of Bob Jane T-Marts generated significant economic impact, employing hundreds of staff across its network and contributing to elevated standards in Australia's automotive aftermarket industry through reliable service and product quality focus.[18]Racing Career
Australian Touring Car and Endurance Racing
Bob Jane debuted in the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) in 1961, competing in the single-race event at Lowood Circuit, Queensland, aboard a Jaguar Mark 2 4.1-litre sedan.[19][5] He secured his first national title the following year at Longford, Tasmania, again in the Jaguar Mark 2, dominating the field in a close contest against fellow Jaguar drivers.[19] Jane repeated as champion in 1963, winning at Mallala Circuit, South Australia, with the same Jaguar model.[9] After a period of campaigning other marques, he returned to claim back-to-back titles in 1971 and 1972 driving a self-prepared 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1, leveraging its 427 cubic-inch V8 for superior power in multi-round series.[20] In endurance racing, Jane achieved remarkable success in the Armstrong 500, precursor to the Bathurst 1000, winning four consecutively from 1961 to 1964 and establishing an enduring record for dominance in the event. Paired with co-driver Harry Firth, he triumphed in 1961 at Phillip Island in a Mercedes-Benz 220SE, the only car to complete the full distance in challenging conditions, and in 1962 at Phillip Island in a Ford Falcon XL.[9] The duo shifted to a factory-backed Ford Cortina GT for the 1963 inaugural Bathurst edition, securing victory and marking the first win at Mount Panorama.[21] In 1964, Jane co-drove a Cortina GT with George Reynolds to another Bathurst success, completing 130 laps ahead of fellow Fords in a dominant manufacturer performance.[22] Known for his aggressive driving style, Jane amassed over 300 victories across Australian circuits, including multiple triumphs at Sandown and Bathurst during the 1970s in Holden models such as the HQ Monaro GTS 350 and LJ Torana V8.[23][24] These results underscored his adaptability from imported exotics to local icons, often employing bold overtaking maneuvers that intimidated rivals. His experiences in international series, such as the British Saloon Car Championship, honed tactical aggression that proved decisive in domestic wheel-to-wheel battles.[4] Jane's racing endeavors were bolstered by his self-funded Bob Jane Racing team, which prepared and campaigned vehicles with occasional factory support, notably the Chevrolet Camaros that propelled his 1970s ATCC successes. This operation emphasized reliability and performance tuning, allowing Jane to compete against professionally backed entries from Ford and Holden.[5][25]International and Other Competitions
In 1964, leveraging his domestic racing success, Bob Jane ventured to Europe with his Jaguar E-Type Lightweight to compete on international circuits. He entered the Ilford Trophy GT race supporting the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch, where he adapted to the demanding European track layout and finished fifth in the GT+2.0 litre class, tenth overall.[26] The outing was part of a broader plan to tackle endurance events like the Spa 24 Hours, though the car returned to Australia shortly after for further development.[27] Shifting focus to other competition formats later in his career, Jane excelled in Australian sports sedan racing during the 1970s and 1980s, campaigning innovative, self-built machines powered by high-performance engines. Early entries included a Repco V8-equipped Holden Torana, which he developed progressively from 1971 onward for outright contention.[28] By mid-decade, he piloted a Chevrolet V8-powered Holden HQ Monaro GTS 350, securing the inaugural Marlboro Sports Sedan Series title in 1974 and repeating as champion in 1975 with consistent top finishes at venues like Sandown.[24][29] These victories highlighted his engineering acumen and aggressive driving, often outpacing rivals in the unrestricted, high-speed category. In his final active years, Jane raced a 6.0-litre Chevrolet Monza sports sedan, achieving two wins in 1981 and one in 1980 within the Australian Sports Sedan Series.[30] He retired from driving at the close of 1981 owing to sciatica, transitioning thereafter to team ownership and promotion roles in motorsport.[23]Contributions to Motorsport
Promotion of the Australian Grand Prix
Bob Jane emerged as a key promoter of the Australian Grand Prix during the 1980s, leveraging his ownership of Calder Park Raceway to host the national event from 1980 to 1984. Securing a five-year agreement, Jane transformed the Melbourne suburb track into the venue for what he envisioned as a stepping stone to Formula 1 status, staging races that blended domestic and international competitors to revitalize interest in open-wheel racing. His initiatives marked a shift from the event's previous nomadic history, positioning Calder as a central hub for high-level motorsport in Australia.[5][9] To prepare Calder Park for elite competition, Jane invested heavily in infrastructure upgrades aimed at meeting Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) standards, including enhancements to pit areas, grandstands, and circuit safety features to handle Formula 1 machinery. In 1980, these preparations enabled the import of genuine F1 cars, with world champion Alan Jones racing a Williams FW07 and finishing first, while subsequent editions under Formula Pacific regulations drew global talents such as Alain Prost, Nelson Piquet, Niki Lauda, and Keke Rosberg. Funding for these promotions came partly from sponsorship by Jane's tyre retail chain, Bob Jane T-Marts, which provided crucial financial backing.[5][9][31] Despite these advancements, Jane encountered substantial challenges, including high financial risks that ultimately made Calder a costly endeavor, with total investments in the facility and events estimated at over $250 million. Intense disputes arose with government authorities regarding hosting rights, as Victoria's bid lacked the robust state government subsidies offered by South Australia, resulting in the loss of the event to Adelaide; the Australian Grand Prix subsequently gained Formula 1 World Championship status there from 1985 to 1995. These setbacks highlighted the interplay of politics and economics in securing international races, forcing Jane to pivot toward other motorsport ventures at Calder.[5][9][31] Jane's promotional efforts left a lasting legacy by boosting attendance at Calder's Grand Prix events—drawing crowds eager to see F1 stars—and elevating the international profile of Australian open-wheel racing, which helped foster broader enthusiasm and infrastructure development for the sport nationwide. His ambition demonstrated how private enterprise could drive motorsport growth, even if it did not secure the ultimate F1 prize for Melbourne.[5][31]Introduction of NASCAR to Australia
In the late 1980s, Bob Jane forged a partnership with NASCAR to introduce American-style stock car racing to Australia, constructing the Calder Park Thunderdome as the country's first purpose-built superspeedway oval in the mid-1980s, modeled after tracks like Charlotte Motor Speedway.[32] This 1.5-mile tri-oval facility, completed at a personal investment of around A$54 million, featured a 24-degree banking to accommodate high-speed V8 racing and was designed to host demonstration events blending international and local talent.[33] The inaugural event, the 1988 Goodyear NASCAR 500 on February 28—billed as "Thunder Down Under"—marked the first international NASCAR exhibition race outside North America, drawing prominent American drivers such as Neil Bonnett (the winner), Bobby Allison (second place), and Dave Marcis (third), alongside Australians like Allan Grice and John Harvey.[33] A second demonstration race later that year on December 18, the NASCAR Christmas 500, was won by Morgan Shepherd, further showcasing the format's potential with fields mixing U.S. stars and local competitors.[33] Building on these demonstrations, Jane launched the AUSCAR (Australian Stock Car Auto Racing) series in 1988 as a domestic equivalent, sanctioning body owned and funded by him to promote oval racing with Australian-built V8-powered cars inspired by NASCAR designs, such as modified Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons equipped with imported components for superspeedway performance.[34] Throughout the 1990s, the series expanded to multiple ovals, including the Thunderdome and Adelaide International Raceway, attracting full grids of up to 30 cars and star drivers like Jim Richards, Brad Jones (five-time champion), and Kim Jane, while emphasizing close-quarters, high-speed action on banked tracks suited for drafting and pack racing.[34] Jane's promotional efforts tied directly to his Bob Jane T-Marts tyre empire, leveraging sponsorships like Goodyear (the series' title partner) to brand events as family-friendly spectacles of raw V8 power, aiming to broaden motorsport's appeal beyond traditional road courses and cultivate a new fanbase for stock car racing.[33] Despite initial success, with seasons running annually through the 1990s and peaking in popularity during the mid-decade, the AUSCAR series proved short-lived due to escalating operational costs, including track maintenance and car imports, leading Jane to withdraw funding in early 2000 after just two rounds of the 1999/2000 season.[34] The final full championship concluded in 1998/99, won by Kim Jane, after which the series folded, though its legacy endured by popularizing V8 oval racing elements that influenced the evolution of Australia's V8 Supercars category, incorporating high-speed stock car dynamics into national touring car events.[34]Personal Life and Legacy
Family and Relationships
Bob Jane was married three times throughout his life. His first marriage, to an unnamed partner, resulted in one daughter, Karen.[12] His second marriage was to Geraldine, with whom he had a son, Rodney, and a daughter, Georgina. Tragically, Georgina died in a car crash in 1991 caused by a tyre blowout, an event that later influenced Jane's advocacy for tyre safety within his business.[17][35][36] Jane's third marriage, to Laree Hope in 1988, produced three children: Courtney, Robert Jr., and Charlotte. The marriage ended in divorce in 2008 following a bitter separation involving disputes over business franchises and personal spending, but the couple reconciled by 2013.[36][37][17] Jane and his family lived in affluent Melbourne suburbs, including Toorak, where he managed the demands of frequent racing travels alongside home and family responsibilities.[38] A passionate enthusiast of automotive history, Jane amassed an extensive personal collection of historic vehicles, many of which were his former racing cars, and these have been preserved following his retirement.[39]Death and Family Disputes
In his later years, Bob Jane battled prostate cancer, diagnosed in 1997, which ultimately claimed his life after a prolonged fight.[37] The illness was further complicated by a stroke he suffered in 2006, leading to palliative care in Melbourne.[40] Jane passed away on 28 September 2018 at the age of 88, surrounded by some family members.[41] Jane's relationship with his son Rodney deteriorated around 2010 amid disputes over control of the Bob Jane T-Marts business, which Rodney had assumed leadership of following Jane's health-related withdrawal.[40] The conflict escalated into public legal battles, including a 2013 lawsuit in which Jane sought repayment of a $2.9 million loan he claimed to have provided to the company for property purchases, a claim he lost in the Victorian Supreme Court.[42] No reconciliation occurred before Jane's death, leaving the estrangement unresolved.[17] The family tensions manifested prominently at Jane's funeral, a private service organized by his third wife, Laree Jane, on 5 October 2018, from which several children—including daughter Karen and son Rodney—were excluded due to ongoing feuds.[43] Karen Jane publicly stated she was not informed of the location or timing, describing the snub as heartbreaking amid the bitterness stemming from prior lawsuits and divorces.[43] A public memorial was later held at Calder Park Raceway, where tributes from the motorsport community highlighted Jane's legacy, with figures like Mark Skaife calling him a "game changer" in Australian racing.[43] Following his 2016 bankruptcy filing that left minimal liquid assets, Jane's personal estate became the focus of continued inheritance disputes among his children. These conflicts, rooted in the pre-existing family rifts over business assets and loans, persisted without resolution, complicating the distribution of his remaining fortune including his renowned collection of classic cars.[17][44]Career Results
Australian Touring Car Championship
Bob Jane secured four Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) titles during his career, winning in 1962 and 1963 with a Jaguar MK2 in single-race formats, and in 1971 and 1972 driving a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 amid multi-round competition.[4][9] His overall ATCC record includes 10 race victories across 38 starts from 1961 to 1977, with notable consistency evidenced by 21 podium finishes.[45][46] He also claimed at least seven pole positions, highlighting his qualifying prowess in an era of evolving regulations.[30] The table below details Jane's ATCC results from 1960 to 1981, including positions, points (where applicable), and cars used. Early championships (1960–1964) were determined by a single national race, so no points were awarded; multi-round scoring began in 1965.| Year | Position | Points | Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | DNP | — | — |
| 1961 | DNP | — | — |
| 1962 | 1st | — | Jaguar MK2 |
| 1963 | 1st | — | Jaguar MK2 |
| 1964 | 3rd | — | Jaguar MK2 |
| 1965 | 17th | 0 | Ford Mustang |
| 1966 | DNP | — | — |
| 1967 | 18th | 0 | Ford Mustang 390 GT |
| 1968 | DNP | — | — |
| 1969 | 2nd | 30 | Ford Mustang |
| 1970 | 3rd | 28 | Ford Mustang |
| 1971 | 1st | 43 | Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 |
| 1972 | 1st | 76 | Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 |
| 1973 | 23rd | 4 | Holden LJ Torana XU-1 |
| 1974 | DNP | — | — |
| 1975 | DNP | — | — |
| 1976 | DNP | — | — |
| 1977 | 2nd | 40 | Holden LX Torana A9X |
| 1978 | DNP | — | — |
| 1979 | DNP | — | — |
| 1980 | NC | 2 | Chevrolet Monza |
| 1981 | 9th | 5 | Chevrolet Monza |
British Saloon Car Championship
Bob Jane's involvement in the British Saloon Car Championship (BSCC) was brief, limited to a single appearance in the 1962 season, where he competed as a guest driver for the John Coombs Racing team. Drawing from his experience in Australian touring car racing, Jane adapted to the BSCC's production-based saloon car format by piloting a modified Jaguar Mk II 3.8-litre, a car type he was familiar with from dominating the domestic series. This one-off entry highlighted his international ambitions but did not lead to further participation in the championship.[54] In total, Jane made one start in the BSCC, achieving no wins or podium finishes, though he demonstrated competitive pace by leading early in his sole race. His retirement due to mechanical issues prevented a points-scoring result, underscoring the challenges of competing against established British teams in unfamiliar conditions.| Round | Circuit | Date | Car | Team | Qualifying | Race Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Aintree | July 14, 1962 | Jaguar Mk II 3.8 | John Coombs Racing | Front row | DNF (overheating) | Led initially before retirement on lap 8 of 15.[54] |
Phillip Island and Bathurst Endurance Races
Bob Jane was a dominant force in the early years of Australia's premier touring car endurance race, originally known as the Armstrong 500. Held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from 1960 to 1962, the event shifted to the challenging Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst starting in 1963, where it remains today. The race distance evolved from 500 miles (approximately 800 km) to 1000 km in 1973, reflecting growing international influences and the event's rising prestige as the Bathurst 1000. Jane's participation from 1961 to 1981 showcased his versatility across sedans and sports models, with his four consecutive outright victories establishing a benchmark for reliability and speed in the pre-Group C era.[55] These wins highlighted Jane's strategic partnerships and preparation, often with co-drivers like Harry Firth, who shared mechanical expertise from their Ford and Mercedes campaigns. The transition from Phillip Island's flowing layout to Bathurst's demanding elevation changes tested drivers' endurance, and Jane adapted seamlessly, using the events to refine cars that also competed in sprint series. His results in these races occasionally factored into Australian Touring Car Championship standings, underscoring the overlap between endurance and national title pursuits.[56] The following table summarizes Jane's four outright victories, representing his most significant achievements in the event:| Year | Track | Co-Driver | Car | Finishing Position | Laps Completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Phillip Island | Harry Firth | Mercedes-Benz 220SE | 1st | 167 |
| 1962 | Phillip Island | Harry Firth | Ford Falcon XL | 1st | 167 |
| 1963 | Bathurst | Harry Firth | Ford Cortina GT | 1st | 130 |
| 1964 | Bathurst | George Reynolds | Ford Cortina GT | 1st | 130 |