Lowndes gears up for his final Bathurst 1000 as lead driver Mountain of emotions

EACH year Craig Lowndes and his wife Lara hitch up the caravan to the back of the car for the journey from Brisbane to Bathurst for the Great Race.

It is 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 do some fishing along the way, catching their own dinner if they bite.

And when they arrive at Bathurst, the caravan serves as a “home away from home” at the track for Lowndes 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 a really good way to chill out before the hectic week.”

But this year, the pre- race relaxation time has also given Lowndes, 44, time for reflection ahead of what shapes up as an emotional time in his last Bathurst 1000 as a full- time driver in Supercars.

Not only will he 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, who he won the endurance classic with in 2015.

“Knowing that we are going to be back there again ( as a codriver), 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 wake 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 there. His record at the hallowed track is brilliant, with 12 podiums, including the six victories and 17 top- 10 finishes.

Lowndes’ six Bathurst victories puts him alongside Larry Perkins and Mark Skaife, with only Jim Richards ( seven) and the late great Peter Brock ( nine) ahead of them.

“There is no doubt I would love to win another Bathurst,’’ he said. “The reason why we go to Bathurst every year is to stand on the podium.”

The Holden hero, who will continue as a co- driver for Triple Eight next year, said it was unlikely anyone would match his mentor’s mantle – but hasn’t given up hope.

“I said long ago no one would ever beat Brock’s nine, but never say never,’’ he said.

“I didn’t realise I would be a centurion ( 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?’’