Skaife credits Lowndes' Triple Eight gamble on eve of farewell

Mark Skaife has praised Craig Lowndes's longevity and success at Triple Eight Race Engineering, as the storied driver/team combination approaches its last hurrah.

Lowndes will make his final Supercars start with the team at the upcoming Repco Bathurst 1000, racing the team's wildcard Chevrolet alongside rookie Zach Bates.

It will be the 457th and final time Lowndes rolls out for Triple Eight, which signed the then one-time Bathurst winner from Ford Performance Racing.

Lowndes finished a lowly 20th overall in 2004, while Triple Eight's two drivers finished 19th and 28th. Talks with Roland Dane and the late Campbell Little swayed Lowndes to make the move, which at the time, was a surprise to many.

One of the many with raised eyebrows was former teammate Skaife, who at that time, was coming off three consecutive titles with the powerhouse Holden Racing Team squad.

"We've had lots of memories together, because we've driven together and we've driven against each other,” Skaife told Supercars.com.

“He’s just an extraordinary competitor. It's been such a unique relationship between Triple Eight and Craig. I thought Craig took a punt going to Triple Eight, originally."

At the time of the announcement, which occurred in August 2004, Lowndes explained he was proud to stay in the Ford family, which pried him away from Holden in 2001. Crucially, the Queensland-based Lowndes stated he wanted to be closer to the everyday decisions, given FPR was based in Melbourne.

“I’m pleased to stay in the Ford family, that was first and foremost in the decision,” Lowndes explained.

“The decision to change Ford teams was by no means an easy one, but I felt it was necessary to be closer to the everyday running of the team.

“My desire is to be able to make more of a contribution to the team and the best way to do that without compromising our family life was to be racing out of Queensland."

Ford Australia President Tom Gorman insisted Lowndes was a crucial part of Ford's plans, despite leaving the Blue Oval's factory squad: “He’s a key component of the plan… there’s no doubt it’s somewhat disappointing that he’s leaving Ford Performance Racing, but everyone at the Ford Motor Company respects his decision."

Dane, meanwhile, said: “I simply can’t wait for the first time Craig Lowndes gets aboard our Falcon… we are in this game to win and that’s what I know Craig is all about.

“Simply plugging a driver into a car does not automatically make you a winner, but I can tell you there will be a spring in everyone’s step at our home base right now.”

In the face of doubters, including Skaife, Lowndes went on to finish second in 2005, before reeling off three consecutive Bathurst victories between 2006 and 2008.

As fate would have it, Triple Eight shifted to Holden in 2010, and Skaife signed on to be Lowndes's co-driver. In two seasons, they won Bathurst in 2010, finished runner-up 12 months later, and dominated the Phillip Island 500 twice.

All told, Lowndes heads to Bathurst with a brilliant record in Triple Eight colours. Between 2005 and 2018, he won Bathurst six times, and finished in the top three overall on seven occasions.

“As a combination, it's worked out very well with that team, and his performances over the years have just been extraordinary. Personally, obviously 2010 was a special time," Skaife added.

“It was a great time for both parties, but like all things, they come to an end at some point."

Track action at Mount Panorama commences on Thursday October 9.