Brock’s record out of reach: Lowndes
CRAIG Lowndes remains doubtful he – or any driver – can match Peter Brock’s nine Bathurst 1000 victories as he prepares to bring up his own record-extending milestone at Mount Panorama this weekend.
In a moment of Supercars synergy for two of Mount Panorama’s kings, Lowndes will line up for his 300th Supercars round start at the event marking the 50th anniversary of his late mentor Brock’s first victory in the Great Race.
A seven-time Bathurst 1000 champion, 48-year-old Lowndes is the only driver still attacking the Great Race within arm’s reach of Brock’s record of nine wins in the endurance classic.
Lowndes sits equal-second for the most Bathurst 1000 crowns alongside Jim Richards, while Mark Skaife and Larry Perkins each have six.
In what will be his 29th start in the Great Race, Lowndes will join forces with young gun Declan Fraser in a Triple Eight wildcard this weekend to keep his hopes of adding to his Bathurst tally alive.
But the long-time fan favourite admitted his chances of still being able to chase down Brock’s record were slim.
“I’ve got a contract for this year and next year with the race team, so I would have to make sure we win this year and next year to be able to at least get on par with it,” Lowndes said.
“I’ve always said that it is going to be difficult (to chase down) nine victories. They are so difficult to get one, let alone nine.
“I think that the depth of competition that we see today is more than what we have had throughout my career.
“I’m not saying that we can’t be on the podium or somewhere near there towards the end of Sunday afternoon, but there are a lot of great teams with good equipment.
“It’s more difficult now, it’s harder to win and easier to lose now than what it was back then.”
Lowndes will extend his own record for Supercars round starts to 300 this weekend – 26 years after his first Bathurst 1000 win in 1996 with Greg Murphy.
Garth Tander, series leader Shane van Gisbergen’s codriver, is the only driver close to Lowndes and will make his 288th round start this week.
Lowndes said it was meaningful to bring up the milestone at Mount Panorama and to share the occasion with a significant Brock anniversary.
“It’s nice to join the 300 club at an event and a track that I have always looked up to and admired and that was always my focus was winning Bathurst,” Lowndes said.
“So, it’s a pretty special moment.
“It’s great to reflect on those moments after we get through the weekend and know that we’ve had such longevity in the sport, which is always really difficult.
“I was thankful in ’06 to drive the ’72 Torana (Brock winning car) around the parade lap so to be able to do it (300 rounds) on the same weekend as what Peter achieved 50 years ago is hopefully a good omen.”
After three years as a codriver alongside seven-time Supercars champion-turned Triple Eight team boss Jamie Whincup, Lowndes will return to lead-driver duties for this week’s race. “My last (race as a) lead driver was in 2018 and now I’m back leading the wildcard car, which is quite exciting,” Lowndes said.
“I keep saying to Declan if we keep our nose clean, we do all the little things right, we are definitely going to be on a good show. I will be disappointed if we don’t finish somewhere in the top 10.”