Supercars championship mastermind and engineer Campbell Little passes away at 65
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The community is in mourning following the loss of one of Supercars’ most influential figures, Campbell Little, who passed away at the age of 65 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Little's passing on Wednesday, 21 August, has left a void in the hearts of many who admired his technical prowess and dedication to the sport.
Campbell Little's career was marked by remarkable achievements, including five Bathurst 1000 victories and two championship titles.
His journey in the motorsport world was one of passion and innovation, which began with a routine health check in early 2021 that led to his diagnosis.
Despite the challenges of his illness, Little's commitment to Supercars never wavered. He took a step back from his role as Supercars’ motorsport technical manager to focus on his health and undergo intensive treatment.
However, his love for the sport and his desire to contribute saw him return to work, where he played a pivotal role in developing the current Gen3 platform.
Throughout his career, Little's technical brilliance shone brightly. Around the turn of the millennium, he found considerable success at Stone Brothers Racing before making a significant move to Triple Eight Race Engineering.
It was there that he engineered Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup's legendary Bathurst victory in 2006, helping to establish the team's dominance in the Supercars series.
Supercars CEO Shane Howard paid tribute to Little, saying, 'Campbell’s technical brilliance and unwavering commitment to excellence elevated the performance of every team he worked with. As a mentor, colleague, and friend, Campbell was admired by all who knew and worked with him.'
‘His recent contributions to our broadcast team exemplify his enduring passion for the sport, even as he faced his battle with pancreatic cancer,’ he added.
‘His guidance to Supercars’ staff ensures that his knowledge and expertise would continue to influence the sport for years to come.’
Little's career also included a stint at Ford Performance Racing, where he worked with race-winner Mark Winterbottom, among others. In his final year, he transitioned into a behind-the-scenes data engineering role with the broadcast team, showcasing his versatility and commitment to the sport in every capacity.
Supercars reporter Riana Crehan reflected on Little's impact, saying, 'The saddest of days. A brilliant man who cared deeply for his family. I will treasure our chats after a long day at work. Always talking about kids and dogs. My heart hurts for his beautiful family. He will be so, so missed. Just a terribly sad day.'
The Supercars championship will honour Little's memory at the next round, the Sandown 500, in September.
His legacy will be remembered not only for his technical achievements but also for the warmth and kindness he extended to those around him.
‘Campbell will be greatly missed by all who knew him and by the entire Supercars community,’ Howard said.
‘Our thoughts are with Campbell’s wife Clare, the whole Little family and friends during this difficult time.’
Campbell Little is survived by his wife Clare and daughters Jess, Georgia, and Ellyse.
As the Supercars community comes together to grieve, their thoughts are with Little's family and friends during this difficult time.
His contributions to Supercars have indelibly shaped the sport, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of engineers, drivers, and fans.
Rest in peace.
Little's passing on Wednesday, 21 August, has left a void in the hearts of many who admired his technical prowess and dedication to the sport.
Campbell Little's career was marked by remarkable achievements, including five Bathurst 1000 victories and two championship titles.
His journey in the motorsport world was one of passion and innovation, which began with a routine health check in early 2021 that led to his diagnosis.
Supercars engineer Campbell Little has passed away at 65 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Credit: Triple Eight Race Engineering / Facebook
Despite the challenges of his illness, Little's commitment to Supercars never wavered. He took a step back from his role as Supercars’ motorsport technical manager to focus on his health and undergo intensive treatment.
However, his love for the sport and his desire to contribute saw him return to work, where he played a pivotal role in developing the current Gen3 platform.
Throughout his career, Little's technical brilliance shone brightly. Around the turn of the millennium, he found considerable success at Stone Brothers Racing before making a significant move to Triple Eight Race Engineering.
It was there that he engineered Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup's legendary Bathurst victory in 2006, helping to establish the team's dominance in the Supercars series.
Supercars CEO Shane Howard paid tribute to Little, saying, 'Campbell’s technical brilliance and unwavering commitment to excellence elevated the performance of every team he worked with. As a mentor, colleague, and friend, Campbell was admired by all who knew and worked with him.'
‘His recent contributions to our broadcast team exemplify his enduring passion for the sport, even as he faced his battle with pancreatic cancer,’ he added.
‘His guidance to Supercars’ staff ensures that his knowledge and expertise would continue to influence the sport for years to come.’
Little's career also included a stint at Ford Performance Racing, where he worked with race-winner Mark Winterbottom, among others. In his final year, he transitioned into a behind-the-scenes data engineering role with the broadcast team, showcasing his versatility and commitment to the sport in every capacity.
Supercars reporter Riana Crehan reflected on Little's impact, saying, 'The saddest of days. A brilliant man who cared deeply for his family. I will treasure our chats after a long day at work. Always talking about kids and dogs. My heart hurts for his beautiful family. He will be so, so missed. Just a terribly sad day.'
The Supercars championship will honour Little's memory at the next round, the Sandown 500, in September.
His legacy will be remembered not only for his technical achievements but also for the warmth and kindness he extended to those around him.
‘Campbell will be greatly missed by all who knew him and by the entire Supercars community,’ Howard said.
‘Our thoughts are with Campbell’s wife Clare, the whole Little family and friends during this difficult time.’
Campbell Little is survived by his wife Clare and daughters Jess, Georgia, and Ellyse.
His contributions to Supercars have indelibly shaped the sport, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of engineers, drivers, and fans.
Rest in peace.
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