LEE HOLDSWORTH ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM FULL-TIME SUPERCARS DRIVING

LEE HOLDSWORTH ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM FULL-TIME SUPERCARS DRIVING

Tuesday, August 30

Reigning Bathurst 1000 champion and Penrite Racing driver Lee Holdsworth will retire from full-time Supercars driving at the end of the 2022 Repco Supercars Championship season.

Sighting a desire to spend more time with family and the pursuit of a new career path, following his 17-year-long Supercars career, the 39-year-old will look to secure an endurance co-driving role for 2023.

Holdsworth will continue to steer car #10 at the remaining four events of the championship at New Zealand, Bathurst, Gold Coast and Adelaide.

Penrite Racing Team Owner Stephen Grove, said: “Once the opportunity presented itself to have Lee in Grove Racing to help facilitate our development in 2022, we quickly moved to secure his experience.”

“He’s genuinely a racer at heart and I am looking forward to him working with Matt Payne for the Bathurst 1000. I’d love to see him keep driving but understand the direction he wants to go at this stage in his life.

“His experience has been a real asset to the team this year as we continue to grow. We now want to focus on giving him the best possible package to go out on the high that he deserves in his full-time career.”

While reflecting on his full-time Supercars journey Holdsworth said: “A big thank you to the people who have followed me, backed me and supported me over my many years in the sport. My fans, my sponsors, my friends, my family. And thank you to the teams and crews with whom I have worked and shared so many memorable experiences.”

“I particularly want to thank Rob Smith and Garry Rogers for having the faith to give me a start in the sport I love so much and which has contributed so much to my life.

“I will leave my full time role in the sport proud of my approach and resilience. I’m also humbled by the countless number of friends I have made along the way, on the track, off the track and away from the track.

“The 500 plus Supercars races I’ve contested have brought victories and podiums across three different manufacturers, including winning the Bathurst 1000 which was the pinnacle of my time in the sport.

“For the remainder of 2022, I am committed to delivering the best results for the team and its partners, as well as for the dedicated staff and crew who pour their hearts and souls into the team.

“Thank you to the Grove family. I’ve enjoyed contributing to and being part of the Penrite/Grove team this year. It’s not over yet!”

The next stop on the Repco Supercars Championship calendar is the ITM Auckland SuperSprint at Pukekohe Raceway in New Zealand from September 9-11.