Lowndes goes for perfect

CRAIG Lowndes has his sights set on bettering Peter Brock, with the freshly crowned Bathurst king revealing his Mount Panorama career could continue as a co-driver for another five years.

Still celebrating the allconquering 1000km drive that won him his seventh Bathurst crown, the Holden legend last night declared his intent to break Brock’s Mount Panorama record of nine wins.

Lowndes will retire from full-time driving at the end of the year.

“I’d hope that I would have another four or five years as a co-driver,’’ Lowndes said.

“If I am smart and pair up with the right team and the right driver, then it is realistic that we could be near the nine and I would love to get 10, but that is optimistic. If I get another one and I am sitting at eight then I will look at it.’’

Lowndes also spoke about the prospect of partnering V8 immortal Jamie Whincup in a Red Bull Holden Racing super team that would help him deliver his Bathurst dream.

Lowndes said he could help Whincup break his six-year Bathurst curse by reuniting the team that completed a Bathurst three-peat in 2012.

Lowndes and Whincup would be gunning for a fourth straight title as a duo should they drove together next year.

“Jamie has had some terrible luck over the last three or four years,’’ Lowndes said.

“He has always had fast cars and that goes to show Bathurst is not always about having the fastest car. Bathurst is about having a good team, consistency and reliability. He did have that on Sunday.

“Jamie and I have won three in a row. If we do that again, then I would have the 10.’’

Lowndes said he would continue to race at Mount Panorama even if he equalled Brock’s record.

“You keep on going until your body is not up to driving at Bathurst. I will drive until I am not fast enough.’’

Lowndes confirmed he will race for Triple Eight Race Engineering next year under Rolland Dane in his first year as an endurance race only driver.

The Holden hero is also hoping to sign a new deal that will allow him finish his career in the powerhouse stable.