Lowndes to make Finke Desert Race debut

Supercars legend Craig Lowndes will make his debut in this year's Finke Desert Race aboard a Chevrolet Silverado ZR2.

The Supercars Hall of Famer will steer a Silverado Off-Road Racer in the Production Four Wheel Drive Class at the June 7-10 event, a week before the Supercars round in Darwin.

Lowndes, who will make his 31st consecutive Bathurst start this year, will be joined by navigator Dale Moscatt.

The seven-time Bathurst winner is no stranger to off-road racing, notably winning the 2010 Australian Safari.

“I’m thrilled to be taking the Silverado to Finke. It’s been a while since I won the Australian Safari, which was way back in 2010, this is going to be a great test,” the 49-year-old said.

“I drive a Silverado ZR2 every day and regularly put it through its paces off-road on weekends, as well as towing our caravan yearly to the Bathurst 1000.

"It covers impressive distances and handles Australian conditions so easily, now we're out to prove its off-road capability.”

The Off-Road Racer concept was brought to life at the company’s Port Melbourne workshop by GM employee volunteers, along with Chevrolet Racing and competition partner Rampex.

The US-based GM Motorsports Division, along with Hall Racing, have also contributed to the Off-Road Racer, which will race from Alice Springs to the settlement of Aputula (Finke) and back in June.

"This is Chevrolet Racing’s first foray into the world of Off-Road Racing and builds on other motorsport categories we compete in, including Supercars and Drag Racing,” said Chris Payne, General Manager Chevrolet Racing Australia and New Zealand.

"Extensive testing has proven this off-road racer is no slouch, but at the same time we’re under no illusions that this race is one of the toughest in the world and is going to be a real challenge for team and machine."

Lowndes will be joined by Dunlop Series young gun Cooper Murray in Triple Eight's wildcard Chevrolet Camaro in this year's wildcard enduro.