John Bowe has taken to the track this afternoon for the opening practice session of the V8 Supercars at New Zealand's Pukekohe circuit, only with the help of a dedicated bunch of suppliers and🍷 supporters.

Boweജ, whose entire array of𓂃 team gear was stolen yesterday morning, was destined at one stage not to be racing this weekend. Rallied support from Team BOC's race equipment supplier, Stand 21 has literally saved the day.

"The guys at Stand 21 have been working around the clock to get the right gear for m🌃e to race this weekend. Since 5am yesterday, it's been 34 hours solid of sourcing and manufacturing," said Bowe.

"There has also been an enormous amount of support from the New Zealand communit𝕴y. I've been overwhelmed with the level of offers of help. I'd like to take this 𒁃opportunity to thank everybody that has taken the time to offer their assistance."

Bowe made an emotional plea to Aucklanders yesterday🐎, asking for the return of his equipment. A call that has yet to be answered.

"Although I can now race at Pukekohe, I would dearly like to get my gear back. It means much more to me than anyone else and that's why I still have a🧜 sizeable reward offered for my gear's safe return,"🀅 Bowe added.

In practice today, Bowe was able to put his hindered preparation behind him and set some fast times in the extended two hour session. ﷺHis lap time of 0:56:21 placed him in 14th position ahead of tomorrow's qualifying and opening race.

Team mate and principal, Brad Jones was just a whisker away with a time of 0:56:24, putting him in ℱ18th place.