Lowndes locked in for Carrera Cup debut

Supercars legend Craig Lowndes will make his Carrera Cup debut next weekend as part of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

The seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner will drive for Grove Motorsport in a sister car to veteran Stephen Grove.

The latter will contest the Pro-Am class on the back of winning the Adelaide round last month, while Lowndes will compete in the Pro field.

Lowndes drove a Porsche 911 GT3 R in the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour earlier this year; he will now try his hand at the Carrera Cup class at an Albert Park circuit where he has five Supercars race wins.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to continue with the Porsche family following the Bathurst 12 Hour,” said Lowndes, whose livery is due to be released later today.

“The Australian Grand Prix is a global stage and a great track, so I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel and compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup races.

“It will be a challenge given it’s my first outing in the category, which is highly competitive but I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do.

“A big thanks to the Grove Group and Porsche Motorsport Australia for the opportunity.

“Once a racer always a racer, that side hasn’t changed for me, so I’m looking forward to the event and seeing what the rest of the year brings.”

Grove was delighted to confirm Lowndes will join his team for the second round of the season.

“To have someone of Craig’s calibre in our car for the weekend is tremendously exciting,” said Grove.

“It is a big race for not just Grove Racing but also the Grove Group so to have Craig alongside me is a big deal.

“[Stephen’s son] Brenton and I have had a fair bit to do with Craig over the past few years due to our connection with Triple Eight, so to have him in a Grove Racing car gunning for outright wins is really special.

“Heading into the round we’re both aiming to have some fun and hopefully end up on the top step of the podium together.”

The Australian Grand Prix kicks off next Thursday, with Carrera Cup and Supercars among the support categories to the Formula 1 main event.