Supercars legend Craig Lowndes has formally departed along with his iconic No.888, ending a 20-year affiliation that spanned three manufacturers and 6 Bathurst 1000 victories.
Lowndes left Triple Eight Race Engineering on the finish of final season after the staff switched from Basic Motors to Ford for 2026. Lowndes is a worldwide GM ambassador.
Having been used just for Lowndes’ co-drive and wildcard entries since he retired from full-time driving on the finish of 2018, the three-time champion has now handed the quantity to present Triple Eight driver Will Brown.
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Craig Lowndes has handed over his iconic No.888 to Will Brown. Triple Eight
“This quantity is iconic to the staff,” Lowndes stated in an announcement.
“In motor racing and in sports activities, sponsors come and go, liveries change, kits change.
“However that is Triple Eight Race Engineering, that is the quantity and it is iconic with the success that comes out of this workshop.”
Lowndes first ran the quantity when he joined the then Ford squad for the 2005 season. He gained 58 races, together with six of Lowndes’ seven Bathurst crowns, 130 podiums and 29 pole positions.
He carried it with him because the staff moved to Holden for 2010, after which once more to Chevrolet for 2023.
Lowndes first drove the No.888 through the 2005 Supercars season. Getty
Lowndes has signed with Staff 18, who’ve taken over from Triple Eight because the Basic Motors homologation staff, for the 2026 endurance season at The Bend and Bathurst.
He’ll proceed to run because the senior driver within the Supercheap Auto-backed wildcard entry, paired with a younger driver.
“After I first arrived I used to be fortunate sufficient to hold the quantity and to see the legacy of the quantity proceed on, it is an iconic quantity for the game, and it is an iconic quantity for the staff, so it is going to be actually nice to see the automotive operating round with that quantity on the aspect.
“I do know Will fairly effectively, to have him stick with it that legacy I feel that he’ll do it proud.
“He is clearly an amazing younger expertise which does sound unusual already being a Supercars champion, he is a confirmed younger expertise.
Lowndes final drive on the wheel of the No.888 was on the 2025 Bathurst 1000. Getty
“I feel the brand new change of producer, the brand new change of automotive, the brand new change of quantity, it is all a superb match and I feel in the beginning of the season he’ll come out punching.”
Brown ran with No.87 in his maiden season with Triple Eight in 2024, after which No.1 final yr as reigning champion.
He stated asking Lowndes to modify to 888 was a straightforward dialog.
“Clearly there’s a number of historical past there, I’ve watched the No.888 race round for years now ever since I began watching the game,” he stated.
“For me there wasn’t a query mark, I’ve had two nice years already with the staff – one superior yr with the championship win and one nice yr final yr preventing all the best way to Adelaide, so it meant lots to me to begin the dialog about 2026 and my race quantity.
“With Craig leaving the staff he thought it greatest that the No.888 quantity stick with Triple Eight, he was actually eager for it to remain right here.
“That was a very easy dialog to have figuring out how a lot it meant to him. I am actually excited to go racing with that quantity.”
The Supercars season begins below lights in Sydney on February 20.
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