Why Peter Brock’s Bathurst record is under siege
CRAIG Lowndes could become the new king of the mountain after signing a new Bathurst deal that could take him past the legendary Peter Brock.
The veteran driver is already planning to chase his eighth Bathurst 1000 crown when he joins Jamie Whincup in a Red Bull Racing super team later this year.
But now Lowndes could surpass Brock’s all-time record of nine wins after inking a new deal to race at Mount Panorama until at least 2021.
An undisputed legend of the sport, Lowndes stepped down from full-time racing last year to become an endurance season specialist with the Red Bull Holden Racing Team.
Lowndes will this year be reunited with V8 immortal Whincup in a partnership that has already delivered a Bathurst “three-peat’’.
The Holden hero yesterday announced a two-year deal extension with Triple Eight in a move that will threaten the alltime Bathurst winning record of Brock.
“I’m excited to be able to continue my long relationship with Triple Eight and the Red Bull Holden Racing Team,” Lowndes said.
“Staying on as a co-driver for another two years takes our strong partnership and friendship to 17 years.”
Lowndes joined Triple Eight Racing in 2005 and spent 14 years with the team before standing down as a fulltime driver.
The partnership has delivered both Lowndes and the team 55 race wins.
Lowndes yesterday spoke of his relationship with Triple Eight boss Roland Dane.
“Roland and I have a long history together,” Lowndes said.
“Triple Eight and I have shared great success and I look forward to continuing that.”
Dane said retaining Lowndes was a massive coup.
“I’m absolutely over the moon to have agreed with Craig that he will continue with us for at least another two years as an enduro driver,” Dane said.