Lowndes becomes first Big Freeze Supercars slider
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 6 June 2025
Bathurst legend Craig Lowndes has the honour of being the first racing driver to take the plunge in the Big Freeze.
Just one day after the Perth Super440, Lowndes will head to the MCG and participate in Big Freeze 11.
The iconic event run by inspirational AFL great and MND sufferer Neale Daniher sees celebrities slide into an icy pool to raise awareness and funds for the fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Greats from all sorts of sports, from footy to cricket and tennis, plus Olympians and more have taken part, but Lowndes will be the first driver to take the plunge.
The three-time Supercars champion and seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner is the 10th slider to be confirmed for the Collingwood v Melbourne King’s Birthday clash.
Also dressing up for the occasion will be Australian Test cricket captains Mark Taylor and Alyssa Healy, Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus, Australia’s only Tour de France champion Cadel Evans, Collingwood premiership player Peter Daicos, former NRL player Matt Nable, Australian Diamonds captain Liz Watson, former Olympian Matt Shirvington and former Melbourne player Aaron Davey.
Lowndes cannot wait to be the first racing driver to break the ice.
“Cold, I think. No, look, it’s gonna be quite exciting. I’ve seen it in the past and watched some great personalities – Nick Riewoldt comes to mind going down as Freddie Mercury,” Lowndes said.
“To be able to go down and try and spread the good cause of what it does, in a sense of the awareness but also trying to find a cure – that’s what it’s all about.
“I watched Neale growing up playing football, so really for me, it’s a special time to be able to at least contribute, have a bit of fun, and try to share the awareness.
“I’m not a big fan of ice baths – especially two tons of ice water – but as I said, it’s going to be fun.
“It’s Aussie icons, so you’ll have to wait and see, but it’s going to be a lot of fun to be able to go to the MCG, be part of the Big Freeze and, as I said, just cross over between the Supercar world and the footy world to try and come together as one.”
Since its inception in 2015, the Big Freeze has become a national movement, raising more than $100 million to help fund vital research and treatment initiatives.
The slide takes place during the Collingwood v Melbourne clash on Monday.
Donations can be made to https://fightmnd.org.au/
Supercars Perth Super440 (all times AEST)
Practice 1: Fri 14.05-14.35
Practice 2: Fri 15.55-16.25
R14 Qualifying: Sat 11.45-12.15
R15 Qualifying: Sat 12.35-13.05
Race 14 (50 laps): Sat 14.55
Race 15 (50 laps): Sat 18.10
R16 Qualifying: Sun 13.00-13.30
Top 10 Shootout: Sun 15.05-15.35
Race 16 (83 laps): Sun 17.15
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