It is 26 years to the day Craig Lowndes began his successful maiden Australian Touring Car Championship campaign at Eastern Creek as it was then known.
‘The Kid’ was the hottest young prospect in touring car racing following a surprise debut appearance in 1994 when he challenged veteran Dick Johnson Racing driver John Bowe during the closing stages for victory, though finished runner up alongside Brad Jones for the Holden Racing Team.
Lowndes was not slated to be in HRT Commodore for the enduros, rather Swedish touring car ace Rickard Rydell was, however he withdrew due to his wife about to give birth.
The seat opened up for Lowndes, who impressed at Sandown and did likewise at Bathurst assuring his position as Australia’s best next young prospect.
Pole for the 1995 Bathurst 1000 proved a false promise when valve problems forced HRT to pack up early.
Lowndes replaced Tomas Mezera for 1996, partnering mentor Peter Brock in a strong field of experienced drivers headlined by reigning champion Bowe and his teammate Dick Johnson.
Also forming part of the field included 1995 Bathurst winners Larry Perkins and Russell Ingall in an expanded two-car Castrol Commodore team, Tony Longhurst in a similarly sponsored Falcon.
Glenn Seton featured new support from Ford Credit after Alan Jones split and formed Pack Leader Racing with the Stone Brothers where the ex-Formula 1 champion was partnered by Paul Romano, while Mark Skaife and Wayne Gardner proved competitive, but lacked the funding to be consistent challengers.
For 1996, the opening round of the Australian Touring Car Championship took place on the shortened Eastern Creek layout connected between Turns 4 and 9, with the final race being run under lights.
Lowndes qualified fourth as Bowe took pole from Brock, with Ford and Holdens alternating positions inside the top 10.
“It’s a good way to start the season,” Lowndes told commentator Andy Raymond prior to the opening race. “It’s only three races out of 30 so hopefully we can get through this weekend with the car still intact and we can go on from there.”
Lowndes was squeezed into Turn 1 and dropped behind Neil Crompton into fifth, but rose to second as Bowe put on a perfect display of defensive driving to hold off the young charger for the win.
For the next two races, Lowndes made the perfect start in each to make a dream debut to his top flight touring car championship career, securing the round win.
In front of an already adoring crowd, Lowndes was circumspect after his maiden success.
“It’s only the start of the year and hopefully we can have a few more of these and make it the flavour at the end of the year,” he stated.
“It’s been fantastic [joining HRT full-time], the guys have been very supportive as it’s not easy putting a young bloke in a car the way they are priced at the moment and put him on a race track with all these other guys.
“That’s what makes it special, to be able to beat them.”
Lowndes made it two from two at Sandown the next weekend as he added round victories at Symmons Plains, Lakeside, Wanneroo and Mallala to secure the title by 79-points from Bowe.
This was then followed by wins in both enduros at Bathurst and Sandown partnered by Greg Murphy.