Supercars figures celebrate Little

Being a massive part of the Supercars paddock for many years, a number of famous figures have saluted technical mastermind Campbell Little.

After over four decades in motorsport, Little, 65, sadly lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Wednesday, August 21.

Despite being diagnosed back in 2021, Little remained a massive part of the Supercars paddock, playing a key role in developing Gen3, while more recently he served a “data engineer” role providing strategy scenarios to the TV commentators in a sign of his love for motorsport.

This type of passion, knowledge and commitment is just one reason why he was a much-loved member of the Supercars community with many paying tribute.

Little and Craig Lowndes were one of the most successful engineer-driver partnerships in the 2000s, but their relationship was much longer.

“Campbell will be sorely missed,” Lowndes said.

“I first met him when I was very young. From the early Honda super bike days when he used to bring them into Dad’s workshop to get dynode.

“To Triple Eight when he was my engineer, winning Bathurst together in 2006 and on to the three-peat.

“Incredible what he helped create both at Triple Eight and Supercars.

“But he was also a very dear friend that I was blessed to have in my corner. RIP Mate.”

Another man from that Triple Eight era was current Team 18 Team Principal Adrian Burgess, who worked with Little on both sides of the fence.

“Today we lost one of the good guys! Campbell was an amazing engineer, fierce, intelligent and competitive,” Burgess said. 

“When I first met him in 2006 I was intimidated by his huge presence and hard exterior. 

“It wasn’t until I was lucky enough to work alongside side him that I met the other CL. 

“He was a gentleman, soft, caring, a real family man who loved his girls. 

“He became a great friend who was always there for people when they found themselves in difficult times. He always had time for you.

“CL we will dearly miss you. Godspeed mate.”

Will Davison also wrote a touching tribute.

“Heartbroken at the passing of Campbell Little, someone who I looked up to and respected so much and someone who played a huge role in my Supercars Career,” he wrote.

“Campbell had that well earned powerhouse reputation, he had so many skill sets which he’d built up over so many decades.

“I was so privileged to of had many years working alongside him at FPR, I then pushed very hard to get him into Erebus throughout 2015 and also Tekno 2017.

“A time, more than ever when we needed his experience and guiding hand. No matter what the job, Campbell was willing to get his hands dirty, he loved racing and absolutely loved hard-work, competence and of course winning.

“There was no ego, he was firm in his opinion and had a stern demeanor. But what stood out far and beyond any of this was that he was a soft, gentle and incredibly caring family man.

“I’ll cherish our time talking about his love for family, his dogs, boating and purely the simple things in life. Particularly since his diagnosis, his fighting attitude has been nothing short of inspiring, he was always positive and felt the comfort of working and being in the pit lane a great way to keep his mind occupied.

“I had a wonderful chat with him as recently as Townsville which I’ll now cherish forever.

“I will miss you mate, thank you for all you have taught me and for all the wonderful memories. All my love & thoughts are with his wife Clare and daughters Jess, Georgia and Ellyse.”

Fellow Team 18 member Charlie Schwerkolt also remembered his time fondly with Little in 2013.

“My race team engineer back in 2013 with Alex Davison. Incredibly clever and an all-round good guy. Will miss you mate, Rest in Peace Campbell Little,” Schwerkolt said.

Having been an integral part of the rise of Triple Eight, joining the squad when it arrived in 2003 and being there for all the big breakthroughs, his former team produced a special statement.

“We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Campbell Little, a stalwart and much respected former member of the Triple Eight family,” the statement read. 

“Campbell’s contribution to the team will forever be unmatched; recruited to the team by Roland Dane in late-2003 and later helping lure ‘The Kid’ Craig Lowndes to Triple Eight in late-2004. 

“The duo went on to score Triple Eight’s maiden Supercars win in 2005. 

“Campbell was race engineer to Lowndesy in 2005 and 2006, which included 11 race wins and an emotional Bathurst 1000 win with Jamie Whincup. 

“He would remain with the team until 2008 and has proved to be an immense contributor to the powerhouse Triple Eight has now become. 

“Our thoughts are with Campbell’s family, friends and wider Supercars community during this difficult time.”

Dick Johnson Racing also released a statement.

“With four decades of dedication to Motorsport, Campbell was a respected and admired figure whose impact will be remembered fondly,” the social media post read.

“His legacy will continue to inspire all who knew him and were touched by his passion for our sport.

“On behalf of the Shell V-Power Racing Team, we extend our deeper condolences to his family – Clare, Jess, Georgia and Ellyse – along with friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Mark Horsburgh / LAT Photographic

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