Lee Holdsworth has today announced his retirement from full-time driving duties in Supercars at the conclusion of this years season. With last weekends Sandown event bringing up his 500th start in the series, the 39-year-old veteran will depart the series to spend more time with family and build on a career with industrial real estate firm CBRE Commercial Real Estate.
Holdsworth was the surprise winner of the Bathurst 1000 last year, claiming line honours in a co-drive with Chaz Mostert. The victory secured a lifeline for the Victorian, who had gone without a full-time drive that season due to the downscale of Tickford Racing the season prior.
The success prompted Penrite Racing to sign Holdsworth, with 2022 bringing mixed results. The highlights include a podium in Melbourne in Race 7 in addition to several top 10 finishes throughout the campaign.
The year 2006 was when Holdsworth began his full-time Supercars career with Garry Rogers Motorsport, which saw him complete five full seasons for the outfit. His first race victory came at Oran Park in 2007, with the next victory coming in Sydney in 2010.
In 2012 the Australian joined Stone Brothers Racing and remained with the outfit through its evolution into Erebus Motorsport. From here, four years at Team 18 were followed by a two year stint at Tickford.
The conclusion of 2020, a year interrupted by Covid, saw Tickford announce they were downscaling to three cars for the 2021 campaign. This saw Holdsworth without a drive for the year, in which he began a career in real estate.
Walkinshaw Andretti United reached out for a co-drive for Mostert at Bathurst that year, and the rest is history, a dominating victory that weekend giving the veteran an opportunity to bring up his 500th race start this year.
In an interview with supercars.com, Holdsworth showed gratitude for his lengthly career with a number of outfits.
“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,” Holdsworth said.
“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 Penrite and our other great 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.
“At the conclusion of the 2022 championship, I will focus on the next chapter of my life.
“This will include furthering my career with CBRE Commercial Real Estate, and of course, returning in 2023 and beyond as a co-driver to again set out to win the Bathurst 1000.
“I have been very fortunate to have been involved in a world class category for so long.
“Thanks for the ride. Thanks for the memories. Thanks for all the friendships.”
The retirement means Matthew Payne is the most likely benefactor, with Velocity News last month reporting on comments that had been made by team owner Stephen Grove that Payne would have a seat for 2023.
“Matty will definitely have a spot, though,” Grove said, when revealing the team would still be running two cars for the 2023 season.
Things now appear to have fallen into place to allow for this to happen, with the 19-year-old Payne appearing set for a full-time Supercar ride with Grove Racing come next year.
In the interim, Holdsworth still has five more rounds in 2022 to se out his career. Increasing on his four victories and 19 podiums would see out a successful career, as would a break into the championship top 10, where he currently sits 11th. Holdsworth will also try to defend his Bathurst title as he partners with Payne in this years event in October.
The next race event takes place at Pukekohe, over the weekend of 9-11 September.
