Bitter HRT to keep Lowndes from Adelaide
9/11/2000 2:03 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) - The Lowndes saga continues. The relationship between Craig Lowndes and the Holden Racing Team following his untimely departure announcement last week is decidedly frosty, and looks as though it won’t thaw in time for Lowndes to take his place on the Adelaide Le Mans grid next month.
Despite Lowndes’ decision not to return to the Factory-backed operation next season, the Holden Racing Team will prevent Lowndes from competing in the inaugural Adelaide Sports Car spectacle due to contractual obligations.
Lowndes’ contract with the Melbourne-based outfit expires on December 31. The Adelaide leg of the American Le Mans Series will be run on the same day.
HRT had granted leave for Lowndes to drive alongside Mark Noske in the Panoz LMP-1 beast, but have since reneged on their generosity following Lowndes’ defection decision last Friday. HRT were yesterday coy as to the reasons behind the last-minute change of heart.
K-Mart-clad V8 Supercar campaigner Greg Murphy has been named as a replacement.
Needless to say, Craig Lowndes – who was keen to use the Adelaide event as a possible stepping-stone to future Le Mans drives – is less than impressed.
"I was given permission at the time to do the Adelaide race, but that has now changed," a dejected Lowndes explained.
"My contract actually runs out on December 31, and at present the team will not give me permission to do the event, despite the fact I am leaving anyway.”
"I am really disappointed because I was really looking forward to this race. It has always been a dream of mine to one day race in the Le Mans 24 Hour and this race was a great stepping stone to try to achieve that dream.”
"I am also upset for all my fans in Adelaide who were looking forward to seeing me race a Le Mans car," Lowndes finished.
HRT issued an irate statement last week condemning Lowndes and his legal team for their decision, and the way in which the negotiation process was handled. It appears as though the Lowndes/HRT relationship had been rocky for some time before the divorce, and continues to be so now.
Event organisers, too, are disappointed to lose what would have been their star attraction.
"This event was going to be a fantastic chance to Craig to show his talents on the world stage," Le Mans Adelaide Managing Director, Dean Rainsford, said.
"The situation is very disappointing and I fail to see how anybody actually gains from this, especially Craig,” Rainsford said.
Lowndes’ loss was Greg Murphy’s gain, who says he is thrilled to be given the opportunity to race the exotic Panoz.
"To drive the Panoz is a fantastic opportunity, but it is a real pity that Craig can't join us," 28-year-old Murphy said.
Murphy has raced at the traditional home of Le Mans racing in France in the 24-hour epic, finishing second in his class aboard a Porsche in '96.
"Having raced at Le Mans before, I am very excited at this opportunity. It will be brilliant to drive an outright prototype car as well,” Murphy said.
"Mark (Noske) and I are hoping to test the car after Bathurst and I can't wait to race the car on New Year's Eve," he said.
Greg Murphy will partner Steven Richards in the K-Mart Racing Commodore at Mt Panorama next week. Lowndes will race for the final time in HRT colours at Bathurst alongside title hopeful Mark Skaife.
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