Craig Lowndes claims seventh Bathurst 1000 title in fairytale finish
IT was the fairytale finish for Mount Panorama’s favourite son. In his final race as lead driver, Craig Lowndes cemented himself as the greatest since Peter Brock.
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IT was the fairytale full-time finish for Mount Panorama’s favourite son.
In his 25th and final race as a lead driver, Craig Lowndes cemented himself as the greatest Bathurst driver since Peter Brock by conquering the mountain in his last stand.
Lowndes outlasted generation next to win his seventh Bathurst 1000 crown, 22 years since his first victory.
In the process the 44-year-old extended his V8 legend as he handed the Ford Falcon a final defeat in its last lap of the iconic course, before it is replaced on the starting grid by the Mustang.
“That is the greatest feeling,’’ Lowndes said.
“It is a dream come true. You never know what is going to happen when you come here and we got it done.’’
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Set to retire from full-time racing at the end of the year, Lowndes started a Mount Panorama party when he floored his way across the finish line to seal a famous win.
In a 1000km fling that featured crashes, chaos and crushed dreams, Lowndes, 44, saw off a Dave Reynolds charge to join Jim Richards on seven race wins, just two behind the legendary Brock.
Lowndes cried tears of joy as he celebrated the fitting full-time finale with co-driver Steve Richards, who won his fifth Bathurst title.
“It is almost like the 2006 win,’’ Lowndes said, referring to his emotional victory a month after Brock died and he was awarded the inaugural Peter Brock trophy.
“The team did a hell of a job because we had troubles all week with steering. To stick it all together is amazing.’’
The Triple Eight Race Engineering stalwart stormed to victory after David Reynolds was struck down by cramp.
In a heartbreaking finish for the Erebus Motorsport driver, Reynolds was denied his chance of winning Bathurst back-to-back when his body failed on lap 140.
“I am just shattered,’’ Reynolds said.
“I have never had anything like that, my body just gave up. I wasn’t mentally there and I just ended up being lost. I am so disappointed for everyone involved because we had the best car.’’
Lowndes cruised home to beat Scott Pye of Walkinshaw Andretti Racing, with Scott McLaughlin’s DJR/Team Penske Falcon third.
Lowndes revealed he suffered a cool suit fail during the 1000km endurance battle.
“I didn’t have any air in my helmet or a cool suit,’’ Lowndes said.
“I battled without them for about three stints so that was hard. But it is certainly all worth it.’’
At 44, Lowndes and co-driver Richards, 46, proved experience meant more than youth when it counted.
“Richo and I came into this race with a lot of confidence on the back of Sandown,’’ Lowndes said.
“We didn’t quite have the speed at the start of the race but the track came to us. I feel a little for Reynolds and his guys because they were the benchmark all weekend. But when we get the lead we weren’t going to give it up.’’
Lowndes will continue to race at Bathurst as a co-driver from next year in a move that will give him a shot at equalling Brock.
The now seven-time winner is expected to join Jamie Whincup at the Holden Red Bull Racing team next year in a Holden dream team.
Lowndes paid tribute to his father Frank after driving his way to Bathurst glory.
“Dad is the one that got me involved in motorsport,’’ Lowndes said.
“Dad was part of the old Holden Dealer team in the 60s and 70s and he is the reason I am here.’’
Richards became a five-time Bathurst winner and a legend in his own right.
“To finish the weekend like that is incredible,’’ Richards said.
“Just unbelievable. We worked so hard and that is just the best.’’
McLaughlin was the first finishing Ford with the Falcon farewelled from Bathurst after 51 years with a podium.
Originally published as Craig Lowndes claims seventh Bathurst 1000 title in fairytale finish