There is just two McLaren supercars in Waihi Beach and Phil Bowyer owns one of them. Photos / Rebecca Mauger
There is just two McLaren supercars in Waihi Beach and Phil Bowyer owns one of them. Photos / Rebecca Mauger
Phil Bowyer decided years ago life was too short to drive bad cars.
The McLaren enthusiast is on his second supercar — a snazzy blue 2020 McLaren 720S — which fulfils his need for speed.
But Phil wasn't even sure he'd be around long enough to enjoy his first McLaren,bought in 2017. That year he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
So Phil, from Waihi Beach, bought a McLaren sport series 570GT (he had first experienced McLarens at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Chichester and was invited to race the circuit).
Four years later, he upgraded to the quicker 720S as his cancer was in remission.
''The cancer is still there, it'll get me in the end, but for now I'm in remission,'' he says.
He also suffered a heart attack last year.
Buying the newer model came about after a chat with McLaren's CEO Mike Felwitt in Bathurst in Sydney. A wall-sized McLaren banner appealed to the racing fan and Phil told Mike he'd like to take the banner home.
''Mike said 'no, but if you buy a 720, I'll give it to you'.''
Done deal.
The difference between the two models is half a second in kilometres per hour. The 570S does 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds and the new 720S does 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds with a top speed of 341 km/h.
''That's quite good,', Phil says.
Phil loves the McLaren brand so much he had an emblem water feature built.
The McLaren water feature at Phil's place.
McLaren banners adorn his garage including one of the famous Kiwi driver. Signature McLaren colours blue and orange can be seen throughout including helmet and clothing. Phil attended the same high school as Bruce in Auckland.
McLaren banners and emblems adorn Phil's garage.
With wife Colleen, the two take the car out mostly on weekend trips and McLaren track days where they can drive with esteemed instructors.
In the past Phil has driven with professional car racers such as Swedish Kenny Brack and Bruno Senna from Brazil.
