First look: Lowndes/Murray wildcard revealed
Triple Eight has unveiled the fresh look of its Supercheap Auto wildcard that Super2 star Cooper Murray will share with veteran Craig Lowndes in 2024.
The livery reveal took place in front of a big group of fans in Melbourne with the latest #888 Camaro continuing to use the traditional Supercheap Auto colours, but with an extra splash of yellow.
Like last year, it has been revealed that in addition to the traditional endurance season campaign, Murray will enjoy a full-time debut at the Indigenous Round at Hidden Valley on June 14-16.
Before that he will get familiar with the Supercheap Auto Gen3 Camaro at a Queensland Raceway Test day on May 28.
Triple Eight Managing Director Jamie Whincup will shift to Team Principal duties in Darwin, while Wes McDougal will once again engineer the #888.
Murray follows in the footsteps of the likes of Broc Feeney, Declan Fraser and Zane Goddard, who have previously steered the wildcard.
The current Eggleston Motorsport driver is a big fan of his first Supercars livery and is already eyeing his Darwin debut.
“I love the look of my first supercar – I think it looks amazing,” Murray said.
“It’s a bit different from what they’ve done in previous years, but this year’s design looks really fast.
“It’s pretty special to launch the wildcard here in my hometown of Melbourne where I’ve grown up my whole life. To have all my family and friends there to help launch it with me and support this amazing opportunity is very special and it’s a cool way to kick off the year.
“I’m so excited at the thought of getting in the car at our first test day. I’ve been looking forward to that moment since we announced I’d be in the driver’s seat, but I’m keeping my cool at the moment, watching a lot of racing and on-board vision, as well as going to the events with Triple Eight to learn as much as I can.
“To make my Supercars solo main game debut in Darwin is something that I’ve been working towards for quite a while now, and it’s going to be a special weekend.
“My little brother Jett is actually racing in the Toyota 86’s at Phillip Island that weekend which is very unfortunate timing, so my family are going to have to split duties at both events!”
With Murray impressing in his rookie Super2 season getting two wins and four podiums, Whincup believes he will impress with this opportunity.
“I’m really excited to see Cooper step up from Super2 to co-pilot with Craig,” he said.
“I’m a huge believer in an experienced driver partnering with an up-and-coming talent to tackle two of the biggest events on the Supercars calendar, and this pairing has just as many opportunities and resources to win as our Red Bull Ampol Racing cars.
“I’m thrilled that Cooper will also get a standalone event in Darwin for him to get comfortable in these cars, and it’s a great opportunity for our engineers and mechanics to gel as a team before an intense enduro season later in the year.”
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