Bob Jane Collection

Owner

Robert "Bob" Jane was an Australian entrepreneur, well known as a motoring enthusiast, race car driver and collector.

Throughout his motorsport career, Jane was a four time winner of the Armstrong 500 (later becoming the Bathurst 1000, Australia's most prestigious touring car race) and four time touring car champion. Notably, Jane is credited as being a four time champion of said race, a feat no other Australian driver, including the legendary Peter Brock, is said to have ever done.

Originally signed on as Ford Works team driver, Jane proved competitive with 21 out of 38 podiums during his ATCC career. Outside of Ford, Jane also competed in a Holden Monaro GTS 350, Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1 and Jaguar E-type in the Australian GT Championships.

Jane is documented as having been responsible for introducing stock car racing (large scale speedway racing) to Australia, and having built "The Thunderdome" circuit in Calder Park. Today this raceway stands unused and in decay due to the sport not catching on.

To most Australian's, the name "Bob Jane" is most synonymous with Robert's tyre shop business "Bob Jane T-Mart". Founded in 1965, it is one of Australia's most iconic automotive businesses and the business remains family owned, although many outlets franchised.

Jane moved on from the business in 2011 citing his relationship with his son, this led to Jane moving on to form a new business, although this led to many legal cases led by his son against the 80 year old Bob.

Post troubled years in the early 2010's, Jane declared bankruptcy in 2016, later passing away at the age of 88 in 2018 from a long battle with prostate cancer.