Craig Lowndes' Retro Return: A Supercheap Auto Wildcard Number
The legendary racing driver, Craig Lowndes, is set to make a nostalgic comeback with Team 18, bringing back the iconic wildcard number #15. This number holds a special place in his history, as it was the one he used to win the Australian Touring Car Championship on his debut 30 years ago. Back then, it was part of the Holden Racing Team, which had already been using #15 since 1992, alongside its #16.
In 1994, Lowndes made his Bathurst debut with the team, and the number was officially #015, a reference to the team's sponsor, Telecom MobileNet. The number returned to its simpler form, #15, when the telecommunications company withdrew its support in 1996, a season that proved to be a remarkable one for Lowndes.
After racing in Europe in 1997, Lowndes returned to HRT and, with the number #15, claimed a second championship in 1998. He then switched to the champion's number, #1, for the following years.
Lowndes' association with the number #888 began in 2000, when he left HRT and started driving for Triple Eight Race Engineering. This partnership lasted for 21 years, during which he became a fan favorite. However, in a recent turn of events, Lowndes decided to stay with GM despite Triple Eight's switch to Ford, leading to a change in his team and number.
The choice of the number #15 for Team 18 is a significant one, as it marks a full circle moment for Lowndes. He expressed his excitement about this decision, stating, 'The number 15 was the first one that came to mind because it’s where my Supercars career began back in 1996.'
Lowndes will be sharing the #15 Team 18 Camaro with Bayley Hall, a Porsche Carrera Cup runner, in the upcoming The Bend 500 and Bathurst 1000 events. This move is a celebration of Lowndes' rich history and the impact he had with the number #15, which will be a nostalgic treat for fans.
Team owner Charlie Schwerkolt shared his enthusiasm, calling Lowndes a 'true legend' and emphasizing the significance of the number #15 in his career. He said, 'People still remember the impact he had with that number, winning races, winning championships, and announcing himself as something special from day one.'
The number #15 has a fascinating history, having been used by various teams and drivers over the years. It was last seen in 2020 with Rick Kelly, who won the Bathurst 1000 in 2004 and the championship in 2006. The number has been a part of different racing teams, including Holden Young Lions, Kmart Racing, and HSV Dealer Team, before becoming part of Kelly Racing.
This retro return to the wildcard number #15 is a unique opportunity for fans to relive the early days of Lowndes' career and celebrate his extraordinary achievements in the sport of Supercars.
