The Brock advice steering Lowndes through Triple Eight exit

Craig Lowndes has admitted it will be a tough moment when the curtains are drawn on his illustrious Triple Eight career at the conclusion of the Repco Bathurst 1000.

Amid Triple Eight's move to Ford for 2026 and beyond, GM ambassador Lowndes has chosen to remain loyal with the brand, and will take the Supercheap Auto-backed wildcard program to new GM homologation outfit Team 18.

A 21-year stint with the team saw Lowndes emulate his mentor Peter Brock with a Bathurst three-peat from 2006 to 2008, adding a further three wins in 2010, 2015, and 2018 to go with his 1996 win for the Holden Racing Team.

As he gears up for his final start in Triple Eight colours in October, Lowndes recalled advice the King of the Mountain gave to him in his formative years.

"It's going to be sad. Brock used to tell me you shut one door and a couple of others open, and obviously everyone knows where I'm going next year," Lowndes told media on Monday.

"We're going to close that chapter, and then open up a new one next year, so it will be sad after two decades being part of a race team.

"The team I've got to say is probably a little different to what it was when I started with Roland, Jamie is doing a great job, and Broc and Will have re-signed, it's testament to them feeling that they're in the right place and have the right car."

Although he completes little racing outside of the enduros, the 51-year-old is still a threat in the wildcard #888 Camaro, and was in the hunt for a strong result last year with Cooper Murray before a late penalty.

The Supercars Hall of Fame inductee says that his desire to succeed at Mount Panorama hasn't waned since retiring from full-time Supercars competition at the end of 2018.

"Every year Supercheap are getting more and more excited about it, obviously last year with Cooper we were on target to potentially be in the top four somewhere," Lowndes said.

"It's just one of those races where you've just got to have a bit of luck go your way as a team, and that's really what I enjoy about it.

"If you start the day with a slow-ish car, it doesn't matter because as you work the track evolves, weather changes, everything comes to you towards the end.

"Last year it was one of those races where it proved that the program is working."

Lowndes will have reigning Super2 champion Zach Bates alongside him for the long distance races at The Bend and Bathurst, with the young gun starring in his solo debut at Ipswich.

Bates was a sensational third in provisional qualifying on Sunday, and backed it up to go fastest of the cars on used tyres in the Top Ten Shootout to start fifth.

"He's a good kid, there's no doubt that the program is working really well. Cooper was there last year, so it's a great program, I really enjoy it," Lowndes said.

"They get an opportunity to stand up, and he did a good job at Queensland Raceway.

"I will say it is a bit awkward, he's the tallest co-driver I've ever had, so getting in and out of the car is a little different but he's a great kid.

"He's obviously had a victory in Super2, he won the championship last year. Like everyone, you always have your ups and downs, but I'm really looking forward to sharing a car with him."

The Ryco Enduro Cup begins with the AirTouch 500 at The Bend from September 12-14, before the Repco Bathurst 1000 from October 9-12.