LOWNDES' LAST STAND
About to tackle the mountain for the final time as a full-time Supercars driver, Craig Lowndes has added reason to reflect this year, writes REBECCA WILLIAMS
BATHURST FEATURE INSIDE TODAY
EACH year, Craig Lowndes and wife Lara hitch up the caravan to the back of the car for the journey down the east coast from Brisbane to Bathurst for the Great Race.
It is a trip that has become a ritual for the couple in the build-up to the biggest race on the Supercars calendar – a chance to unwind before the madness descends at Mount Panorama.
They stop to do some fishing along the way, hopefully catching their own dinner. And when they arrive at Bathurst the caravan serves as a “home away from home” at the track for Lowndes, a place where he can enjoy the comforts of his own pillow and doona rather than staying in a rental.
“The last five or six years we have been driving down with the caravan,’’ Lowndes said.
“It’s just a really good way to chill out and relax before the hectic week that we are about to approach.’’
But this year, the pre-race relaxation time has also given Lowndes plenty of time for reflection ahead of what shapes as an emotional time in his last Bathurst 1000 as a full-time driver in Supercars.
Not only will Lowndes be attacking the big race for the final time as the lead driver, he will also be farewelling his partnership with co-driver Steve Richards. They won the endurance classic in 2015. “For me, knowing that we
are going to be back there again, although obviously not as a full-time driver, I think the emotions are a little different,’’ Lowndes said.
“It will be an emotional weekend for me and Richo because it is the last time we will drive together.
“Since the announcement, every day I woke up and haven’t regretted it. For me it’s definitely been the right decision and the right timing to move on.’’
A six-time winner at Mount Panorama, Lowndes is hungrier than ever to taste success in the big race – 24 years after his debut at the track.
His record at the hallowed track is brilliant – 12 podiums, including the six victories, and 17 top-10 finishes.
“There is no doubt that I would love to win another Bathurst,’’ the 44-year-old said.
“Hopefully this year can prove to be another fantastic weekend.
“The reason why we go to Bathurst every year is to stand on the podium.
“We’ll give this one big red-hot crack again and see where we can end up.’’
Alongside Lowndes on six Bathurst victories are Larry Perkins and Mark Skaife, with only Jim Richards (seven) and the late great Peter Brock (nine) ahead of them.
Holden hero Lowndes, who will continue as a co-driver for Triple Eight next year, believes it is unlikely anyone will match his mentor’s mantle, but
hasn’t given up hope.
“I said a long time ago no one would ever beat Brock’s nine, but never say never,’’ he said.
“I didn’t realise that I would be a centurion (he was the first driver to 100 race wins) and now that Jamie (Whincup) has joined the list, records are there to be broken.
“So fingers crossed again going back next year, who knows what is going to happen.’’
Lowndes heads to Bathurst buoyed by a third-place finish with Richards in the Sandown 500, where his Triple Eight team completed a podium lockout.
“It’s a completely different event, but knowing the performance we had at Sandown gives us some confidence and encouragement going into Bathurst,’’ Lowndes said.
“The car has been running fantastic throughout the year – obviously the ZB (Commodore) as a car has definitely proven to be a fantastic vehicle and our results this year have proven we are on the right road to having a strong result at Bathurst.’’
Sitting fourth in the Supercars championship, Lowndes
‘‘ WINNING BATHURST HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT AND THE PRIMARY OVER THE TWO ... DEFINITELY BATHURST OVER A CHAMPIONSHIP FOR ME. — CRAIG LOWNDES
said the choice would be simple if he had to pick between winning another title or a Bathurst crown.
“That’s easy for me,’’ Lowndes said.
“Winning Bathurst has always been the highlight and the primary over the two ... definitely Bathurst over a championship for me. “Just the build-up. “There is no doubt in the early days Brock used to approach it with such enthusiasm and used to draw off the crowd and the excitement and the energy that comes in through the town.
“So every year when we drive over the Blue Mountains and you get to see Mount Panorama in that white rock for the first time it gives you goosebumps knowing what you are about to head into.”
His most memorable Bathurst moment came in 2006, shortly after Brock’s death in a rally accident.
“I would say ’06 winning the Peter Brock Trophy for the first time was definitely the highlight of my career at Bathurst, the most emotional and the most memorable,” Lowndes said.
“For a lot of the fan base as well, it was something that we all went there for a reason and to be the first name on that Peter Brock Trophy is and always will be one of the special ones.’’
There will be plenty of room for that trophy in the caravan on the trip home.