Craig Lowndes is locked in for at least the opening two rounds of this year’s Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia series, with title-winning squad Wall Racing.

Lowndes contested last year’s Bathurst 12 Hour in a Porsche 911 GT3 R alongside factory drivers Earl Bamber and Laurens Vanthoor, and followed that up with his Carrera Cup debut with Grove Racing at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

Rounds at Sandown next month and The Bend in May, however, shape as his first extended running in the series given he suffered a puncture in the only race which got away at Albert Park last year.

“I’m really excited to be joining Wall Racing for the Sandown and Tailem Bend rounds,” said the seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner.

“Teaming up with David [Wall, team owner/driver], it will be great to get back behind the wheel of the Porsche after our first real taste was abandoned due to the impact of the pandemic at the Grand Prix last year.

“The 911 GT3 Cup car is obviously a completely different beast to a Supercar, but I aim to be competitive. I also really enjoyed driving the Porsche 911 GT3 R in the Bathurst 12 Hour last year and working with the entire Porsche family.”

Wall will drive the #38 Porsche and Lowndes the #338, both with backing from Paynter Dixon.

The Supercars legend could, however, race the Cup Car in more rounds this year than the two announced so far.

“We are very pleased to announce that Paynter Dixon will be on my car and that Craig is confirmed for the first two rounds,” said Wall, the 2017 series winner.

“For Craig, we look forward to seeing what we can do beyond Sandown and Tailem Bend.

“To have Craig join our team is massive, he needs no introduction to any form of Motorsport and I’m sure he will love being part of Carrera Cup Australia in general.

“We are planning on this being a long-term relationship and are actively searching for potential commercial partners to ensure that we are both on the grid throughout the year and beyond.”

The squad has also announced that it will field Drew Hall in the Pro-Am class in selected rounds of the 2021 season, the first being at The Bend.

“Drew has been part of our team for over 12 months now and has made some massive steps in his driving and we feel he is ready to take another step up and join our Carrera Cup campaign for 2021,” declared Wall.

“Drew will do a great job in #86 and with a few Carrera Cup events under his belt, I see no reason why he can’t mix it with other Pro-Am drivers as the year progresses and we look forward to showing him how enjoyable and competitive Carrera Cup Australia is at every level.”

Carrera Cup supports the Penrite Oil Sandown SuperSprint on March 20-21, while Lowndes will partner Jamie Whincup in a Red Bull Ampol Racing entry in October’s Repco Bathurst 1000.