Supercars Ace Craig Lowndes To Retire From Full Time Driving

Craig Lowndes, Triple 888 Racing, AGP. (C)

    This last week we were contemplating what topic to discuss. It soon became obvious when a certain Supercars driver announced his retirement from full time racing at season's end. Triple 888 racing's Craig Lowndes is that certain Supercars driver. We thought it only fitting to acknowledge a marvellous career and wonderful contribution he's made to motorsport.
    After karting as a child, Craig Lowndes moved into Formula Ford in 1991 where he excelled.  1993 saw him winning the Australian Formula Ford Championship and earning an invite to the prestigious Formula Ford Festival in the UK where he finished third. He then competed in Australia's then top open wheel category, Formula Brabham, earning an Australian Silver Star, before turning his attention to the Australian Touring Cars Championship (ATCC). A testing role landed him a surprise call up to partner Brad Jones in the Sandown 500 which they won. In 1997, ideals of motorsport grandeur saw Lowndes head off to Europe where he contested the then feeder series for Formula One, the International Formula 3000 Series. However, after being comprehensively beaten by Colombian team mate Juan Pablo Montoya, the fiscal well dried up, forcing Lowndes to return to Australia.
    Craig Lowndes has since forged a remarkable career in ATCC, V8 Supercars and now Supercars winning the championship 3 times. He's the first driver to amass 100 wins and currently sits on 106. He's won Australia's premier tin top race, the Bathurst1000, 6 times. 2 outright victories plus a class win in the Bathurst 12 Hour. This culminated in 2012 when he was awarded the Medal Of The Order Of Australia in the Queen's birthday honour's list for his contribution to motorsport and road safety education programs. 
    Craig Lowndes will still be competing in Supercars after 2018 as a co-driver for the enduro campaign. He has also expressed an interest in racing overseas in events such as Le Mans 24 Hour. 
    Retiring on one's own terms is a luxury not all sportspeople can experience. Armed with an ever present smile, he's sponsor friendly and never too busy for the fans. A true inspiration for any young driver desiring a career in motorsport.
      
    
    

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