Supercars community pays tribute to Campbell Little

The Supercars community has paid tribute to Campbell Little following the news of his passing yesterday at age 65.

Little was a much-loved member of the paddock, having spent almost four decades within the Supercars fraternity, after starting his career in speedway and motorcycle racing.

Little played a key role in Bathurst wins in 1988, 1998, 2006, 2007, and 2008 (pictured), and oversaw competitive periods for Triple Eight and Ford Performance Racing (now Tickford).

Little also had stints at Dick Johnson Racing, Erebus Motorsport, Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport and TEKNO during the 2010s.

In recent years Little was appointed as Supercars Motorsport Technical Manager, and was also serving as the data engineer for the TV broadcasts this season.

As the news broke yesterday, a stream of tributes from the Supercars community flooded social media.

Speaking on a Facebook live stream debriefing last weekend’s NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint, current Triple Eight driver Broc Feeney reflected on his connection with Little, starting from the motorcycle connections of his father Paul.

“It’s terrible, it comes as a shock, we know he hasn’t been super well recently, but to hear that he’s passed away is terrible news," Feeney said.

“My Dad knew him for a while, even before I got into car racing I had a bit to do with Campbell, I did some simulator stuff with him and obviously seen him around Supercars.

“It’s a terrible loss for the sport, he was a great guy, he was always happy to chat and talk to you in the pits. 

“It’s a terrible day for Supercars and for Triple Eight as well, my thoughts are with his friends and family and everyone who had the privilege of knowing Campbell.”

Another driver to pay tribute was Team 18’s Mark Winterbottom, who scored pole at Bathurst in 2010 with Little as engineer, and also won the 2003 Super2 Series at the end of Little’s time with Stone Brothers Racing.

“Today is such a sad day,” Winterbottom wrote on social media.

“Campbell Little was an amazing man and had a huge impact on my life and racing career. From engineer to mate and everything in between I learnt so much from him. We will miss you mate.”

Winterbottom’s former FPR teammate Will Davison also paid tribute to Little, with the current Dick Johnson Racing star 

“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," Davison said.

"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 & absolutely loved hard-work, competence & of course winning.

"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 & 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."

Seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner Craig Lowndes also paid tribute to Little via social media, Lowndes being lured to Triple Eight for the 2005 season by Little’s presence at the team.

The combination would be the catalyst for Triple Eight’s rise to the top, with Lowndes claiming a remarkable three consecutive Bathurst wins from 2006-2008 with Jamie Whincup as co-driver.

“Campbell will be sorely missed," Lowndes said.

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

“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.”

Little’s former employers Triple Eight and Tickford also released statements via social media, with both teams crediting their successes to the foundations Little helped build.

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

“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.”

A Tickford statement reads: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Campbell Little, a pivotal figure in our team who served as a race engineer for Mark Winterbottom and our Technical Director.

“Campbell’s expertise and passion were instrumental in shaping our journey and successes. His legacy will forever be a part of Tickford Racing.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”