Lowndes targets Finke redemption in Silverado

Seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner Craig Lowndes will return to the Tatts Finke Desert Race in 2026, determined to finish unfinished business at one of Australia’s toughest off-road events.

Lowndes will contest the iconic desert race behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Off-Road Racer, entered under the Supercheap Auto Racing banner and supported by General Motors Australia and New Zealand (GMSV).

The entry reunites Lowndes with co-driver Dale Moscatt and the Rampex motorsport engineering team, with the trio targeting victory in the Production 4WD class during the event’s milestone 50th anniversary.

Lowndes said the challenge of the Finke Desert Race left a lasting impression after his first appearance in the event in 2024.

“It’s great to be back racing Finke with Dale this year thanks to the support of Supercheap Auto and GMSV,” Lowndes said.

“After my first crack at the event in 2024 I was blown away by just how demanding the race is on both driver, team and vehicle.”

The Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 was unveiled in striking Supercheap Auto Racing colours at the National 4×4 Show, highlighting the retailer’s growing presence in Australia’s 4×4 and off-road market.

Supercheap Auto Head of Marketing Emma Halasz said the partnership with Lowndes and GMSV was a natural fit for the brand.

“As we continue to expand our position in the 4×4 retail market, this partnership between Supercheap Auto, Craig Lowndes and GMSV to compete in one of Australia’s most iconic desert races felt like the perfect fit,” she said.

The Silverado has been prepared with support from engineers at General Motors Australia and New Zealand working alongside the Rampex race team, which has experience across Formula 1, IndyCar and Supercars programs.

GM Australia and New Zealand marketing and motorsport boss Chris Payne said the Finke program provided an ideal platform to showcase the capabilities of the Silverado ZR2.

The truck will carry the race number 715, referencing the number 15 that Lowndes famously used to win the 1996 Australian Touring Car Championship in his rookie season.

Held annually over the King’s Birthday long weekend, the Tatts Finke Desert Race sees competitors tackle a brutal 460-kilometre course between Alice Springs and the remote community of Finke (Aputula), racing out on the first day and returning along the same track on the second.

The 2026 edition of the legendary Northern Territory event will run from June 5 to June 8 and marks the race’s 50th anniversary.