hero-img

Goddard's Gen3 links with Lowndes

28 Jan 2023
Young gun to partner seven-time Bathurst winner
2 mins by James Pavey
Advertisement

Craig Lowndes will have Zane Goddard as his co-driver for the first time, but the two have worked together before.

Goddard was confirmed as Lowndes’ Triple Eight wildcard co-driver on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old replaces Declan Fraser, who has secured a full-time drive with Tickford Racing.

Goddard and Lowndes tested the Gen3 prototypes in tandem last year, and both drivers enjoyed insight into how the other works.

Lowndes and Goddard have been enduro rivals since 2020, but 2023 offers a whole new challenge.

However, having seen Goddard’s workmanship first-hand, Lowndes believes his new partner is armed with what it takes to return full-time.

“I’ve been working alongside Zane for the last couple of years,” Lowndes said.

"We’ve been doing some demonstrations together with the Gen3 car.

"I got to know Zane pretty well over this time, as well as his stint in the main game.

"He’s a great young kid with great speed, and a great head on his shoulders.

"I really enjoyed the mentoring side of things last year with Declan. I think that Zane is a bit further down the path then what Declan was or is now.

“You really have to take these opportunities with both hands. I know Broc did and has now migrated into the main game, same as Declan.

Advertisement

"Zane has been in that position, but we now want to get him back there and this is a great opportunity for it.”

Goddard had the luxury of driving both Gen3 prototypes at times last year.

Goddard commentates a bumpy Gen3 lap of Townsville

The Queenslander is also planning on being trackside with Triple Eight in the lead-up to Bathurst.

Having had a brief taste of the big time with Tickford Racing last year, Goddard is determined to make his Triple Eight opportunity count.

"I had a little bit of an involvement in the Gen3 program last year as a test driver, so hopefully I have an upper hand there,” Goddard said.

"They’re awesome cars and a lot of fun to drive – I think it’s exactly what the category needs.

"I’ve obviously been in the main game before and my aim is to get back there.

“So working with a great team, a great driver and a great sponsor is hopefully going to help me achieve that.

"You can develop so much as a driver working with such a great team on and off the track.

"I really want to get back in a Supercar in a full-time capacity and the last two drivers of the Supercheap Auto wildcard program have achieved that."

Related News

Advertisement