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.
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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.
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