The Supercars paddock has paid tribute to Craig Lowndes following the touring car legend’s decision to call time on his full-time Supercars career.
Six-time Bathurst 1000 winner and three-time series champion Lowndes will also begin a media career by joining the Supercars broadcast team next year.
It was a decision that the 44-year-0ld labelled as the hardest of his career to make.
Five-time Supercars champion Mark Skaife admitted it was a sad moment for the sport given Lowndes’ status as a driver and firm favourite among fans.
However, Skaife feels that Lowndes being the face of the sport for so long coupled with the demands outside of his on-track commitments over the last 21 years has played a part in today’s announcement.
“I think, behind all of us, there’s always a feel of ‘Why do you actually really do it (racing)?’ and the first (reason) is always driving the cars and enjoying driving,” said Skaife, who partnered Lowndes to win the 2010 Bathurst 1000 and was a team-mate at the Holden Racing Team.
“The second one is the level of competition and enjoying competing.
“There’s so many demands, and I felt that for Craig, he’s been the face of the sport for so long, the demand, day in, day out, is massive, and I can’t help thinking that.
“I don’t see him driving badly, I see he’s racing really good. In fact, we’ve said many times this year it’s been vintage Craig Lowndes.
“So it makes me sad that these things happen, he’s an incredible contributor and an amazing spokesman for the game, (an) absolute (Peter) Brock protégé, we’ve been team-mates and fierce rivals…
“I can’t help being really sad about the way that happens.
“It’s great that he’ll stay involved in the game and all the things that he’s spoke of, he and Roland have got a great relationship, but for a bloke that’s been around for almost 25 years and has been so good, it’s a sad day when he won’t be on the grid.”
Championship leader Scott McLaughlin revealed his surprise at Lowndes’ decision.
The Shell V-Power Racing driver admitted that it had been a privilege to race against the Supercars veteran who he looked up to as a child.
“For me guys like Lowndes and Murph were the backbone of our sport and have been so good for people coming up through the sport like myself,” said McLaughlin.
“Absolutely, (it is a shock). I was surprised.
“I knew he had a contract for a little bit longer but it is his decision and I’m sure everyone will stand by him.
“It is good that he is still going to be around, he is fantastic for the sport and he is a champion. I’m just privileged to be able to race door-to-door with him.”
Nissan Motorsport’s Rick Kelly was also blindsided by the announcement, admitting he felt Lowndes still had plenty left to offer as a full-time driver.
“I’m taken by surprise of it and quite saddened by it,” said Kelly, who narrowly denied Lowndes the championship in 2006.
“We have had some great battles over time and some clashes as well, but I thought he had a little bit left in the tank that is for sure. It doesn’t feel quite right to me.
“It is sad he is such a massive part of the sport and he has done so much for it. He created a household name for himself and dragged the sport along with him. I’d like to see him stay a little longer than what we have heard today.”
Erebus Motorsport driver David Reynolds likened the announcement to ‘Jesus dying’ before going on to pay tribute to his rival.
While Lowndes told the media that the decision retire was mutual between he and the Triple Eight, Reynolds does not share that view.
“It is like announcing Jesus has died. It is huge,” said Reynolds.
“I’m a little bit disappointed because I thought Lowndesy would be there forever and he is such a big personalty for the sport.
“When you watch the press conference I didn’t feel like it was his own decision.
“That is just how I feel but I haven’t spoken to him yet but I will find out what he has got to say.
“It will impact the sport and it is going to be interesting to see how it all unfolds.
“He is going to be missed, he has had an unbelievable career and he is a great competitor.”
Tributes have continued to flow on social media with a selection highlighted below.
Sad to see @craiglowndes888 step down, an incredible career, the end of a pretty special era in Australian Motorsport. had some great battles and some clashes but I feel lucky to have raced with you! I started in Motorsport selling Craig Lowndes hats at HRT when I was 14…
— Rick Kelly (@rickkelly) July 6, 2018
Sad to hear @craiglowndes888 is retiring from Full-Time Supercars racing. Feel very grateful to have raced hard against a modern day legend. All the best on your new chapter mate! One of my favourite photos from my time as a supercars driver! #VASC pic.twitter.com/oCmqwCwVin
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) July 6, 2018
So many great moments with this legend of the sport @craiglowndes888 We both entered this sport in 1996 and been an absolute pleasure competing and watching you over the years.… https://t.co/DBfPlz3I63
— Russell Ingall (@RussellIngall) July 6, 2018
@craiglowndes888 has just announced his retirement from full time #VASC racing at the end of 2018! A man I have idolised since I was a kid and still do today. It has been such a privilege to race him. All the very best for the future mate. #cheersCL #VASC pic.twitter.com/lx5ZF4UHPW
— Todd Hazelwood (@Todd_Hazelwood) July 6, 2018
Total pro. Well done @craiglowndes888. Enjoy the rest of the year and go hard!! Awesome that you want to have a crack @24hoursoflemans at some stage too. 2019 perhaps? Now that would be cool. #vasc https://t.co/yuwyjFLVp8 https://t.co/yuwyjFLVp8
— Greg Rust (@Thrusta1) July 6, 2018
Cheers to an incredible driver & legend of our sport. I’ll miss the battles, it’s been a honor to of been able to share the track with you for so many years.
Hard & fair racer, great bloke & supporter of young drivers. Thanks CL 👍🏻#vasc @craiglowndes888 pic.twitter.com/6jBgFYv4ox— Will Davison (@will_davison) July 6, 2018
👏 What an amazing career you have had @craiglowndes888.
Thank you for your contribution to Australian motor sport.
Glad you’ll keep racing in some capacity! #VASC #ThanksCraig pic.twitter.com/0o6F2D1ZIm
— CAMS 🏁 (@CAMSmotorsport) July 6, 2018
Sad day, but you never expect you’re ever going to stop full time driving. Great times to finish 2018 @craiglowndes888 Looking forward to Enduro time 😁👌🏽 https://t.co/isnIcA44Cs
— Steve Richards (@Steve_Richo) July 6, 2018
One of the all-time greats! #AusGP ambassador @craiglowndes888 will retire from full-time @supercars competition at the end of the 2018 season. All the best, Craig #ThanksCL pic.twitter.com/m7K8xNdIuU
— Australian Grand Prix #AusGP (@ausgrandprix) July 6, 2018
“Ultimately, the fans are the backbone of our great sport and the reason I’ve pulled my helmet on every race weekend, so to them, thank you.”
Congrats to @craiglowndes888 on an epic career!#VASC #supercars pic.twitter.com/eKVKvLKKK3
— Red Bull Australia (@redbullau) July 6, 2018
What a career @craiglowndes888, it’s been great to race with you and you’ve been a gentleman to race against. A true legend of the @Supercars #ThanksCL #VASC pic.twitter.com/MD3i6cXZfH
— Ford Australia (@FordAustralia) July 6, 2018
Hero, icon, legend. Thanks @craiglowndes888 https://t.co/TvoZCHh8mS
— Red Bull Holden (@redbullholden) July 6, 2018
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