CRAIG Lowndes is about to spread his wings with an Australian Off-Road Championship appearance in the Loveday 400.
Fresh off a class win in the Finke Desert Race, Lowndes and navigator Dale Moscatt have been confirmed to contest the South Australian event on July 24-26.
They’ll do so in the Can-Am Maverick R of Loveday 4×4 Adventure Park owners Tony and Jodie Whateley.
“I’m really enjoying this off-road caper,” said Lowndes.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Tony and Jodie for giving Dale and I the opportunity to jump straight into their Can-Am Maverick R for the next round of the AORC.
“We’re very mindful that it’s Tony’s own race vehicle, but he’s a racer through and through so he wants us to enjoy ourselves, put on a show for the fans and see what we can achieve.
Craig Lowndes and Dale Moscatt celebrate their Finke success. Pic: Supplied
“The Maverick R is an incredible machine,” he added.
“I had the opportunity to ride with Jodie at Loveday a few months ago and was blown away by the capability of the car.
“It responds brilliantly to driver inputs and handles the bumps and whoops exceptionally well.”
Moscatt credited the seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner’s ability to adjust from his tarmac comfort zone.
“Craig has adapted incredibly well to the unique demands of off-road racing,” said Moscatt.
“It’s very different to circuit racing because communication between driver and navigator is critical.
“We’ve spent a lot of time refining our pace notes and our in-car communication during both reconnaissance and race conditions.
“The pace notes are definitely helping accelerate Craig’s development in this discipline and he’s doing an awesome job.”
Lowndes will make another couple of Supercars enduro starts later this year, sharing a Team 18 wildcard Camaro with Bayley Hall.