News and Updates

One of the things to watch at the 2019 editions of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will be Craig Lowndes’ farewell as a full-time driver. The six-time winner of the event announced his plans to retire at the end of the Supercars season, which marks this race as Lowndes’ last ever appearance at Mount Panorama as a full season entrant.

A three-time champion on top of the six Bathurst 1000 wins, the 44-year old announced his retirement from full-time racing on Friday, bringing his 24-year stint at the top level of Australian motorsports to an end. The Supercars legend will carry on as an endurance driver for the Triple Eight Team, his home for the past 14 seasons.

Craig Lowndes’ successful history at the Mountain began in 1994, his debut year in the series, with a second place finish. His first win at Bathurst would follow just two years later, in 1996, the year also marking his first out of three championship trophies. The other two would soon follow over a three-year period, but Lowndes went through a decade-long drought at Mount Panorama.

After joining Triple Eight in 2005, Lowndes would eventually go on to win three consecutive editions of the Bathurst 1000 from 2006 to 2008 partnering his now longtime teammate and seven-time champion Jamie Whincup. He would add another two wins to the record, taking the checkered flag in 2010 and 2015.

As he chases an elusive fourth championship trophy to bow out of full-time racing, Craig Lowndes is also looking forward to adding a seventh Bathurst 1000 trophy to his silverware collection in this year’s edition. Speaking to website Speedcafe, Lowndes told about his pursuit of another win with his co-driver, veteran Stephen Richards.

“For me, Bathurst has always been the highlight of the year, I’ve always been open about that. So there’s no doubt that when we get to Bathurst this year, Richo and I – and I’ve spoken to Richo – we’re going to give it our all to make that, for me, number seven, and another one for the team”.

Craig Lowndes’ pursuit of a seventh Bathurst 1000 win starts on October 4, with the race happening on October 7.

The 2019 edition of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will get a new campsite. The most recent spot, known as “The Orchard”, will bring an additional 600 spaces to the already existing 6500 camping spaces at the track.

Developed by the Bathurst Regional Council alongside the Virgin Australia Supercars Series, the Orchard camping site is located next to the already existing Chase campground, which itself sits outside the circuit, close to the famous Chase section exiting Conrod Straight. The Orchard will feature powered and unpowered sites offering toilets and showers.

Bathurst already has another six campgrounds available: The Enduro, McPhillamy, Reid&Sulliman, Max Cameron, Paddock and Motorhome.

The campsite expansion comes following a nearly record-setting attendance of 205,693 fans at last year’s race, as well as the ever-growing popularity of camping at the event. It’s also worth noting that, as the Mount Panorama Circuit isn’t a permanent racetrack, the grandstands are located only alongside the main straight and turn one.

Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 Event Manager Rachael White spoke to the Supercars Series’ official website regarding the Orchard campsite’s addition, elaborating further on the growing demand for the experience.

“It’s in a great spot for fans of all ages and extends our offering to cope with the huge demand we experience for campsites every year. Over the past few years, the sites at the top of Mount Panorama and the paddock area campground have been extremely popular, taking just four days to sell out”.

Tickets for the 2019 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 are already available. The event at Mount Panorama kicks off on October 4 and runs through to the October 7 race day.