Lowndes ready to come out at night
EASTERN Creek at night has fond memories for Craig Lowndes.
The Supercars legend won under lights at the western Sydney track, now Sydney Motorsport Park, in 1996 in his first night race.
As the only driver at this weekend’s Sydney SuperNight 300 who was on that grid 22 years ago and with more recent night- racing experience at the Bathurst 12 Hour and Spa 24 Hour, Lowndes know what it takes to win at night.
“It is a very different element,’’ Lowndes said. “The conditions are obviously cooler so the cars will change in their balance and the tyre temperature will be hard to get up. The engines run better but obviously with all that you have to see where you are going.
“Having the depth of perception of corners, brake markers and lines, all of that you need to take into consideration. I have been lucky enough to get to do a few night races and I am looking forward to the challenges.’’
Lowndes may be retiring from fulltime Supercars racing at the end of this year but he called for the sport to bring in more night races.
“The concept is awesome,’’ Lown- des said. “I would like to see more night racing. I think we have some great circuits with some great atmosphere like Townsville and Darwin. They would provide great opportunities to race under lights. It would allow families to get to the circuits later on, go to work or whatever and get to watch us race around at night.
“The cars glow, the disc brakes light up and it is a very different element. It will be a great show.’’
Lowndes turned back the clock at Queensland Raceway last round to score a popular third place finish.
“It was great to have a podium,’’ Lowndes said.