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Supercars legend Craig Lowndes to make his Finke Desert Race debut

An Australian motorsports legend will make his Finke debut in a field brimming with talent as entries for the 2024 edition of the desert race open.

David Walsh celebrates his win at the Finke Desert Race

A Supercars legend will make his Finke debut as entries open for the 2024 edition of the nationally acclaimed desert race.

Three-time Supercars champion and seven-time winner at Bathurst Craig Lowndes will make the trip to Alice Springs for his debut at the 2024 Tatts Finke Desert Race.

Lowndes will be aboard a Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 and is keen to get in the action again after and running and testing the Prologue track in 2021.

“I can’t wait to get back to the Finke Desert Race, after attending as a fan, and running and testing the Prologue track,” he said.

“It’s a race like no other in Australia and has been on my bucket list for a long time.

“Through Chevrolet Racing and GMSV, I’m really excited to see what Dale (Moscatt) and I can do in the ZR2 Silverado. If there’s an event that will push a vehicle, it’s Finke.”

Craig Lowndes will take on the Finke Desert Race for the first time. Picture: Brenton Edwards
Craig Lowndes will take on the Finke Desert Race for the first time. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Two-time Finke podium finisher Travis Robinson will also make a return after winning the 2023 Australian Off-Road Championship after several years out of the sport.

However, reigning three-time King of the Desert Toby Price won’t be competing due to overseas commitments in the Baja Series.

His absence leaves room for the field to claim the victory with five former Kings of the Desert taking part being Mark Burrows, Shannon Rentsch, Hayden Bentley, Greg Garner and Brad Gallard.

2023 SXS Motorsport Australia Championship James Cook and 2022 Australian Off-Road Champion Ryan Taylor have also been confirmed.

Long serving Finke Desert Race committee president, Antony Yoffa said he is looking forward to the healthy competition in the car’s division.

“We are extremely pleased to already have almost 140 entries for the cars category for this year,” he said.

“And with Toby Price not competing due to commitments in the Baja Series overseas, this year will see the crowning of a new King of the Desert on four wheels.

“It will be a tough field and there will be plenty of competitors with their eyes on the podium for this year and it will be great to see who is able to come out on top.”

A Ford Ranger Raptor at the 2023 Finke desert race.
A Ford Ranger Raptor at the 2023 Finke desert race.

Entries for the cars category are now open for the 2024 Finke Desert Race with 139 cars having already entered the iconic race, leaving only 26 positions left.

Entries opened on February 27, with the race coinciding with the Kings Birthday weekend, running from June 7-10.

There will once again be a maximum number of 165 entries available for the cars category with additional registrants placed on a waitlist in order of receipt.

2024 also marks the 25th year of Tatts being the major partner of the event, a huge milestone in a period that has seen the event grow considerably across Australia.

Car entries close on May 17 with entry through the event’s website, finkedesertrace.com.au.

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/motorsport/supercars-legend-craig-lowndes-to-make-his-finke-desert-race-debut/news-story/e5a8b825e49498323388914c2c6f8466