Truth behind 'snotty-nosed' Craig Lowndes' stunning Bathurst 1000 debut 30 years ago
Updated . First published at
Although nobody knew it at the time, the 1994 Bathurst 1000 marked a turning point in Australian motorsport.
Driving the iconic No.17 Ford Falcon with John Bowe, it was Dick Johnson's final Bathurst victory. At the other end of the spectrum, a young Craig Lowndes was making his debut.
After a late-race restart, Lowndes announced his arrival in the sport with a sensational move around the outside of Bowe under brakes into Griffins Bend.
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Craig Lowndes announced is arrival with a brilliant move around the outside of John Bowe at the 1994 Bathurst 1000. Supercars
"This kid is dynamite," commentator Mark Oastler quipped. That would go on to become one of the most iconic lines in the race's history.
But the Johnson-Bowe Falcon had been the dominant car all weekend. Once his tyres came up to pressure, Bowe was able to put his decades of experience to good use.
He cruised up to Lowndes' rear bumper, and with the help of a backmarker who clearly didn't check his mirrors, got back past down the inside into turn one, Hell Corner.
That was all she wrote, and Bowe disappeared into the distance to take the chequered flag.
Johnson (R) and Bowe (L) on the 1994 podium. Reuters
In a video released by the team marking the anniversary, Johnson said as Bowe moved to the inside of the corner to defend from Lowndes, he never expected the then-20-year-old to make such a bold move.
According to Johnson, neither did Lowndes. In fact, Johnson said Lowndes was lucky to not crash.
"When you talk to him after the event, Lowndesy missed the brake pedal," Johnson said.
"That's why he went past. Fortunately for him, he got it stopped."
In the following laps, Johnson got on the radio to give his teammate a rev-up.
"It was about then ... I got on the radio to JB and said: 'Listen mate, you're a touring car wizard. We've won this race together before, and we need to win it again. You're letting some rookie blow you away. Get yourself together'."
"And he did. I must admit he focused, because I told him 'you're not going to let some snotty-nosed kid beat you, are you?'."
The story goes that once Bowe was past, Lowndes was told to conserve fuel ensure he made the finish. Johnson doesn't buy it.
"Whether or not that was an excuse, I don't care. We won the race," he said.
"When the chequered flag came out and JB went across the line with his hand out the window, that's when I thought 'well thank heavens, mate. You've done us proud'."
Three decades later, the No.17 Mustang will be steered by Will Davison and young rookie Kai Allen.
Practice for the Bathurst 1000 got underway on Thursday and continues on Friday. The race begins at 11.30am (AEDT) Sunday.
