PWR/Holden Rally Team has revealed its pair of Holden Colarados that will take on the Australasian Safari next weekend.
After winning the event on debut last year, Bathurst legend Craig Lowndes will team up with former PWR V8 team manager John Panozzo as his co-driver, while the second car will be driven by Paul Weel, and co-driven by his father Kees.
Lowndes will drive the car that took him to victory, while the Weel combination will steer a brand-new car.
The pair of Colarado entries have completed about 100kms of testing with no issues, under watchful eye of nine-time Safari winner John Hederics.
Currently second in the V8 Supercars Championship behind TeamVodafone team-mate Jamie Whincup, Lowndes says that he feels even more confident this year’s Safari.
“The shakedown was really about just running the cars to make sure there were no little issues,” the five-time Bathurst 1000 winner said.
“We completed about 100km and everything worked really well so I can’t wait to get over to the Safari to have another crack at it.
“We’ve had a few test days in the Colorado this year and John and I are working well together, but the Safari can always throw up some surprises. I feel much more comfortable in the car this year because I know what to expect so from that side I can’t wait to get into it, but for now I’m focused on having a good run with (Mark) Skaifey at Phillip Island.
“The new Colorado that Kees and Paul are driving has been going really well too, so with any luck we can have a one-two finish at the end of the rally, it will be tough, but I feel like we’ve had some good preparation.”
The Australasian Safari covers 3,700kms and starts in Perth next week (September 22) and finishes at Kalgoorlie, WA, on Sept 30.
