The PRW Holden team of Craig Lowndes and Paul Weel, with co-drivers John Panozzo and Kees Weel, have finished testing their cars and are ready to take all that the Australasian Safari in outback Western Australia will throw at them.
Basing themselves at past Safari winner John Hederics’ property in Mildura, NSW Team Manager Kees said they did the testing as if it was a leg of Safari.
“We were up at 5.30am, had breakfast at 6am and were in the car for 7am.
First was a 40km gravel road section for a systems check, and then a 10km competitive course that was set by John (Hederics).
“With the sun in our eyes it felt as if we were doing the Safari - Lowndes and Panozzo leading the way and Paul and I getting covered in dust. Then we done the same section in reverse.
“We did some tyre changing practice and the weather felt as hot as Safari conditions in the WA goldfields. I think Craig and Johnnie (Panozzo) did the best time, so let’s hope we don’t get any flats!
Kees said the idea of this test was to make sure everything was right with the cars so when they are unloaded in Perth they are ready to Race.
The cars are now heading to WA and the Safari starts in less than a week with a Ceremonial Start at Hillarys Boat Harbour where fans can meet Craig and the other 90 competitors and their 4WDs, bikes and quads before they are flagged off on their way north to Geraldton on the Western Australian coast.
It’s then inland through the northern goldfields to Kalgoorlie seven days later, with a big finish at the Kalgoorlie Golf Course on 30 September. There are also free spectator opportunities in Geraldton and Kalgoorlie.
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