![\"Craig](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Lowndes-Schwerkolt.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCraig Lowndes and Charlie Schwerkolt. Image: Supplied <\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCraig Lowndes and Charlie Schwerkolt. Image: Supplied <\/p>\n
Lowndes\u2019 departure from the Brisbane team after 21 years came as part of the fallout from Triple Eight\u2019s defection from Chevrolet.<\/p>\n
The seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner \u2013 and indeed the entire Supercheap Auto wildcard program \u2013 has moved from Triple Eight to new GM factory squad Team 18.<\/p>\n
Lowndes, who recently visited Triple Eight to hand over his #888 plate to Will Brown<\/a>, was in Team 18\u2019s Melbourne workshop this week sussing out his new home.<\/p>\n The 51-year-old does not know when he\u2019ll have his first drive of a Team 18 Camaro but is already brimming with trademark enthusiasm.<\/p>\n \u201c[At the moment we\u2019re] just trying to work out seating positions and trying to get ahead of the game,\u201d Lowndes told Speedcafe.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we do get an opportunity to drive the car it\u2019ll be as familiar as when I left Triple Eight.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll do the test days and be part of Team 18 and really understand their philosophy and how they operate, which is going to be the focus this year to get set up for Bathurst time.\u201d<\/p>\n Will Brown to carry Craig Lowndes legacy with iconic #888<\/a><\/p>\n As per previous years, Lowndes will co-drive the wildcard in the Enduro Cup races alongside a young gun.<\/p>\n While no co-driver has been announced, Speedcafe understands Porsche Carrera Cup star Bayley Hall is set to score the coveted seat.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old Gold Coaster will be the latest to benefit from Lowndes\u2019 experience, debuting in the Great Race as the veteran makes his 33rd start.<\/p>\n As for Lowndes\u2019 initial impressions of Charlie Schwerkolt\u2019s Team 18?<\/p>\n \u201cObviously carrying over the Camaros from last year, they\u2019re pretty organised,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve known Charlie for a long time and he\u2019s a good operator. ATB (Adrian Burgess) is there, Richard Hollway, there\u2019s a lot of familiar faces there which is really great for me.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just excited to work with a whole new crew and just understanding how they go about their business.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery team has its own way and methods. It\u2019s just about what Team 18 looks like and getting in behind the scenes and hopefully giving them some input from where I\u2019ve been.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom HRT days to FPR and obviously Triple Eight, you take a little bit out of every team and how they operate. I\u2019m really excited.\u201d<\/p>\n The Camaro Lowndes will drive this season. Image: Supplied<\/p>\n The big question is whether Team 18 and its drivers Anton De Pasquale and David Reynolds can win races for GM as they attempt to fill the huge void left by Triple Eight.<\/p>\n Lowndes believes that\u2019s \u201cabsolutely\u201d possible after a strong back end to 2025, but feels performing consistently will be the biggest challenge.<\/p>\n \u201cThe strongest thing Triple Eight has always had is their consistency and ability to rebound from bad results,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cEven a bad day, you always know if they have a bad Saturday they\u2019ll come back strong Sunday.<\/p>\n \u2018I think that\u2019s what Team 18 and all the Chevy teams all need to find a bit of that consistency, more so than anything.<\/p>\n \u201cAny given day, Davey or Anton have been race winners and contenders, it\u2019s just a matter of making that more consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025_9_22_ChevRacing-01.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/285241.gif\")