Lowndes to split from Triple Eight after 20 years to stay at General Motors

Triple Supercars champion Craig Lowndes will cut up together with his staff of 20 years, Triple Eight, on the finish of the season to stay a Normal Motors driver in 2026.

Lowndes will be a part of with a to-be-named Chevrolet Supercars staff whereas Triple Eight becomes a Ford team next season.

He joined Triple Eight when it was a Ford staff in 2005 and took the squad’s maiden V8 Supercars victory the identical yr. He has gained six Bathurst 1000 races with the staff, which switched to GM’s Holden model in 2010.

Since he stepped down from racing full-time on the finish of 2018, he grew to become a co-driver, earlier than in 2022 shifting to T8’s Wildcard programme, wherein he’s joined by and mentors a younger driver. That can proceed this season, when he races alongside Super2 champion Zach Bates in The Bend 500 and the Bathurst 1000.

“I’ve nothing however good emotions and nice reminiscences from my time at Triple Eight,” Lowndes mentioned. 

“I’ve nothing however respect for them as a race staff, engineering organisation and, importantly, the individuals inside – in any respect ranges.

“This has been a really robust determination and one which has taken quite a lot of time and thought to work by.

“Loyalty has all the time been a key consider my time with Triple Eight however, at this stage of my profession, I feel it’s the finest determination to make for my future.

“It’s uncommon that anybody works with the identical individuals for 10 years, not to mention 20, so to have the ability to look again on 20 years with the identical racing staff and all of the reminiscences we now have shared alongside the way in which may be very particular.

“To be a part of the staff from their early life and thru to them changing into the powerhouse they’re at the moment has been probably the most fulfilling a part of my profession.

“And through that we now have shared wonderful success collectively and large milestones in my profession — I can solely say ‘thanks’ to everybody who has been a part of the journey, contained in the staff and past as effectively.”