Larkham reveals pride in Winterbottom's career

Few have enjoyed watching Mark Winterbottom reach the highest heights than Mark Larkham, who has paid tribute to the Supercars veteran ahead of an emotional weekend.

This weekend’s VAILO Adelaide 500 is likely to be Winterbottom’s last as a full-time driver, with the 43-year-old departing Team 18.

In his transition to co-driving, Winterbottom has been tipped to return to the Blue Oval and Tickford Racing in what he quipped would be a “fairytale” reunion.

It was with Larkham’s team and Ford back in 2004 where Winterbottom’s full-time journey began, following a stunning development series victory with Stone Brothers Racing.

Speaking to Supercars.com, Larkham said 'Frosty' was his logical successor following his own retirement from racing.

“My decision to sign Frosty back in '04 it was, it just wasn't that difficult,” Larkham said.

"I decided to retire, and we'd been watching Frosty because we had a tight relationship with the Stone Brothers. We had our engine deal with them, and I'd run with the Stones, we remain close personal friends.

“By default, we took an interest in Mark's career. As everyone knows, I'm a big fan of Formula Ford, and whilst he didn't win the title, he went up against Jamie Whincup and finished second. That to me speaks volumes.

“But that year in the development series was just stellar, it showed his ability, particularly when he had the right machinery underneath him, which Stone Brothers gave him.

“For ’04, Stone Brothers couldn't do anything with him at that point in time. So, it was a logical fit, and we asked him to come over and drive with us.”

Winterbottom’s 2004 and 2005 bore little fruit in what Larkham described as his “toughest” years in charge of his eponymous team. Results were few and far between, yet Larkham was ever impressed by Winterbottom’s resilience.

“The thing that struck me straight away with Mark — in terms of the data, his steering, throttle, brake, the way he drives the car — it was beautiful, really smooth,” Larkham said.

“He's one of those drivers that has a great feel for the car, the tyre, what the tyre's doing. That really matters in our game.

“It became pretty obvious to me very quickly that the attributes he had that had let him be successful in karting, Formula Ford, Super2, there they were on a piece of paper.

“Having said that, my regret with having Mark was that I could never give him the car that Stone Brothers gave him in the development series, and what Ford Performance Racing gave him in subsequent years.

“He got a fifth and a sixth at Sandown and Bathurst, and some reasonable qualifiers, but I just have to be frank, we never saw the best of Mark Winterbottom with my team.”

Winterbottom sealed a plumb move to FPR in 2006, and he duly raced to third overall, winning the Sandown 500 and the final race of the season at Phillip Island. From there, Larkham’s decision was vindicated, Winterbottom becoming a force.

Between 2006 and 2016, Winterbottom claimed 38 wins, 117 podiums and 36 pole positions. After years of trying, he won the 2013 Bathurst 1000, and 2015 championship — the latter a day Larkham will never forget.

“No one took greater joy than me from watching him win the championship and go on to have great success,” Larkham said.

"I have a lot of admiration for Mark. I often say the measure of people is not how good you are when you're up, it's how good you are and what you learn when the chips are down, when things are a little tough.

"So actually, on his behalf, I don't regret that we couldn't give him a better car, because I think there were some good things for Mark that he carried into his future years and let him be the driver that he has been for 20 years.

“Since the day we signed him, I've had a lot of time for Mark. I think he's a proper good bloke. He's got integrity. He's been an absolute asset to our pit lane. Hand on heart, I sincerely hope that he goes on and has many successful years.

"I know it may sound odd, but even though we couldn't do it for him, I genuinely enjoyed seeing Mark go up the ranks as driver and win championships and Bathurst.

"I just remember his championship win, and that day distinctly. It gave me the greatest joy of all, because you do feel you played some small part. I didn't give him trophies, but I think we gave him really good experience."

As a team owner, broadcaster and friend, Larkham has watched Winterbottom become one of the most respected figures in pit lane. However, it’s also Winterbottom’s off-track persona than Larkham holds dear.

“As a young guy, when he was with me, I just distinctly remember the respect he had for his parents,” Larkham said.

“He's very much a family man, and we see that now with his own family and his kids. I like that in people. He’s not the attention seeker. He doesn't get involved in front page headlines, populism and silly comments.

“It's been a great journey for him. Will he win this weekend? Probably not, but it’ll be nice to get out of the car knowing that you're competitive rather than pushed, and I'm pleased that he's in that position. That matters."

Winterbottom will make his 644th and 645th Supercars starts at this weekend's VAILO Adelaide 500, with track action commencing on Thursday. Tickets for the event are on sale now.