NEIL Crompton, the voice of Supercars, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The 60-year-old is expected to make a full recovery and is scheduled to undergo surgery in coming weeks.
Crompton received the diagnosis in the lead-up to the Tasmania SuperSprint and chose to continue his duties in the commentary booth and in front of the camera at Symmons Plains and at The Bend last weekend.
He is also expected to continue in his usual roles at the upcoming Winton SuperSprint at the end of May.
“Everyone at Supercars was saddened to hear this terrible news and we’re all thinking of Neil and his family at this difficult moment,” Sean Seamer, Supercars CEO, said in a statement.
“Neil has become more than just the voice of Supercars, he’s an integral member of the Commission and a friend to many in the paddock.
“He has our total support and we wish him well over the coming weeks. You’ve got this Crompo.”
Nathan Prendergast, Supercars’ General Manager – Television and Content added: “The Supercars family is right behind Neil and we will be there for him in any way we can to help him through this difficult period.
“In recent weeks Neil has shown his professionalism and resilience by continuing to deliver in the broadcast since his diagnosis and will remain an essential part of the coverage for Winton and beyond.
“Neil has many close friends in the paddock and the broader Supercars community who wish him a speedy recovery and we look forward to having him back on our screens ASAP.”
Crompton first made his name as a commentator in the 1980s on motorsport broadcasts for Channel Ten and the ABC before rising to prominence in the latter part of the decade as part of the Seven Network’s team covering the Australian Touring Car Championship and Bathurst 1000, under the tutelage of the late Mike Raymond.
He parlayed his media profile into a full-time racing career, starting 85 ATCC/Supercars Championship rounds and 16 Bathurst 1000s, winning the 1994 Bathurst 12 Hour and taking a pair of podium finishes in the ‘Great Race’ itself.
Crompton returned to the booth upon his retirement from full-time racing at the end of 2002 and has been a cornerstone of Supercars’ commentary line-up in the almost two decades since.
