Craig Lowndes

One of my passions is motorsport – in particular V8 Supercars.  Me and my buddies try to get together and watch each round on the telly, and aim to get to at least one race weekend per year.  (This year we are going to Bathurst, about which I am very, very excited…but that’s another blog entry.)

As you wander about the pits, you get to know some of the personalities and see people at their best and worst.  Some racers are there for the fans, some are just there for themselves.  One of the people for whom I have developed a deep respect is Craig Lowndes.  Aside from being a great driver, CL is also one of the nicest guys you are ever to meet.

What impresses me most about CL is his ability to keep reality in a crazy scene.  Always grinning from ear to ear, Lowndsie always has time to chat to the fans, sign things and hug people.  I know this for a fact as I have had a Lowndsie-hug, simply because I asked for one.  (Probably sounding a little weird now….)  I just love his trademark “Okaaay” in response to a transmission from his pit crew over the team radio – hope to set it as my email notification one day.

A defining moment:  December 2006, last round of the series and the championship has all come down to one last race.  If CL finishes in front of Rick Kelly, he wins the lot.  Of course racing being what it is, there is drama and Wick can’t resist an opportunity to spin CL around – the race is over, championship lost.
What would you do next?  Scream and shout? Punch Rick? (I know I would have!) Complain loudly to the nearest microphone?  Not our Lowndsie. 
After the race, and a quick  stint in the team trailer  (probably to scream and shout,)  CL came out to the pits and spent half an hour with the fans.  We tried to make him spit on Rick, but he wasn’t listening and only replied with “well there’s always next year.” 

Now that’s character! In any trade there are good blokes and losers.  CL may be no angel out there, but he always has time for people and has never forgotten that sport should be as much about the fans as about one’s own success.

So the influences bit?  As a person, my nature is to always try to be of good cheer, whatever is going on.  I would love people to say of me that I was always grinning, and whatever the circumstances that I could take it on the chin and still enjoy the moment.  That’s what JOY is all about.  Now that would be a good legacy to leave.

 

Rick tags CL - Championship over