The son of the touring car legend is back doing what he knows and loves.
It’s been a while since Rod Jane strapped himself into a race-car.
More than 10 years, when he thinks about it.
But he’s back, racing Carrera Cup in the Pro-Am category with a giant smile after a pair of runner-up finishes at Winton.
“It’s a funny story,” Jane begins with AUTO ACTION.
“We didn’t have a driver for one of our cars. So my wife Penny says to me ‘Why don’t you drive it?’ so I set up a test with Mick Ritter from Sonic. And here I am.
“Now Penny swears she was joking . . . “ Jane, of course, has never really been away from racing.
He’s been a long-term backer of the Sonic Motor Racing cars in the Carrera Cup, backing several champions along the way, and no-one should ever forget his ownership of Calder Park and the Thunderdome.
But his wild days in AUSCAR and NASCAR are deeply into the rear-view mirror and even his time as a Super2 racer is a fading memory.
So why exactly is Rocket Rodney, now 50 and with four great kids, back on track?
Because he can, obviously. Because he enjoys it, obviously. Because it’s a total break from his life as CEO of the Bob Jane T-Marts empire, not so obviously.
“Life is short. If you’re not enjoying it, don’t do it,” Jane says. “I used to work at every race meeting but now I’m concentrating on this. It’s a good way to put everything else away.”
‘Everything else’ is a lot when your name is Rod Jane.
Apart from his family, and a new kelpie, and his giant business interests, and Calder Park, Jane Jnr has been mired in one of the messiest family feuds in Australia in recent years.
The final years of Bob Jane’s life were chaotic and combative, and it took a toll on everyone including Rod. He has many memories of his father, but they all boil down to one thing – love.
“When I was about nine he dragged me into his life and I never really left. I’m proud of my dad. I miss my best friend,” he says.
Bob taught Rod about building a business, about winning in motorsport, and about the commitment it takes to be successful at anything in life.
“I’m never really off. I’m always doing something.”
Rodney Jane reflects a lot more on his father Bob and also talks about cousin Kim and Calder Park in the full News Extra feature.
The full feature can be found in the latest edition of AUTO ACTION on sale in your local newsagency now.
