Retiring Holdsworth's Bathurst ambition

The retiring Lee Holdsworth has already cast his gaze at clinching a plumb Bathurst co-drive for 2023.

Holdsworth announced his full-time retirement this week.

The season-ending VALO Adelaide 500 will be his final full-time round.

However, Holdsworth will race on as a co-driver from next season.

The veteran has already had a taste of the ‘B’ driver life, and it was as good as it gets.

After missing out on a 2021 season, Holdsworth was picked up by Walkinshaw Andretti United.

Holdsworth and Chaz Mostert dominated the Great Race from pole.

It was Holdsworth’s first Bathurst win in 18 starts, and just his second podium.

In a statement, the 39-year-old says he was shift his focus to a “future outside motorsport”.

That entails devoting more time to wife Alana and children Ava and Riley, and his career with CBRE Commercial Real Estate.

However, the 502-race veteran wants another taste of the Bathurst big time.

At the conclusion of the 2022 championship, I will focus on the next chapter of my life,” he said.

"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."

Holdsworth labelled his Bathurst win as the "pinnacle of my time in the sport”.

Several teams will move quickly to snap up Holdsworth, who was by far and away the best co-driver in the 2021 race.

Holdsworth ran rampant during his stints and handed over to Mostert in the lead.

Holdsworth and Mostert dominated last December

They still won in a canter despite the car suffering a puncture with Mostert behind the wheel.

Such was Holdsworth’s performance, that WAU released him from the second year of his contract in order to facilitate his move to Braeside.

Holdsworth could land anywhere in 2023, given he has links with the likes of WAU, Tickford, Team 18 and Erebus Motorsport.

He was recently linked to a move Blanchard Racing Team, which was put to bed by Tuesday’s announcement.

Critically, Holdsworth would be an asset to any team considering the introduction of Gen3.

Holdsworth raced low-downforce cars for the balance of his career, having debuted full-time in 2006.

He will race with Matt Payne in October, in what is somewhat a passing of the torch.

Kiwi teen Payne is set to make the leap to the main game in 2023.

Holdsworth made his debut in the 2004 Sandown 500 and became an co-driver for Garry Rogers Motorsport in 2005.

Holdsworth is 14th after nine rounds

It facilitated a full-time drive with the team in 2006, and he remained with GRM until 2011.

For now, Stephen Grove is committed to giving his outgoing racer a strong package for the rest of the season.

“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,” Grove said.

“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."

Holdsworth's 2022 campaign will continue at Pukekohe next weekend.

Tickets for this year's Repco Bathurst 1000 are on sale now.