Lowndes and Weel set for Australasian Safari challenge

2011 will mark Lowndes' second Safari hitout, after he partnered Paul Weel to victory last year.

The team finished testing their Holden Colorados last week and are now ready to take all that the Australasian Safari will throw at them. Basing themselves at past Safari winner John Hederics' property in Mildura, Team Manager Kees said they did their testing as if it was a leg of the actual Safari.
"We were up at 5.30am, breakfast at 6am and in the car for 7am.
"First was a 40km gravel road section for a systems check, and then a 10km competitive course that was set by John (Hederics).
"We did some tyre changing practice and the weather felt as hot as Safari conditions in the WA goldfields. I think Craig and Johnnie (Panozzo) did the best time, so let's hope we don't get any flats!"
Kees said the idea of the test was to make sure everything was right with the cars so they are ready to race in Perth.

After winning last year's auto division, Lowndes is hoping to go back-to-back at this year's Australasian Safari. Today's ceremonial start at Hillarys Boat Harbour will give fans a chance to meet Lowndes and the other 90 competitors and their 4WDs, bikes and quads before they are flagged off on their way north to Geraldton on the Western Australian coast. It's then inland through the northern goldfields to Kalgoorlie seven days later, with a big finish at the Kalgoorlie Golf Course on 30 September. There are also free spectator opportunities in Geraldton and Kalgoorlie.