New car news

28 September 2011 - 07:00

Craig Lowndes leads Australasian Safari

As the V8 world gets ready for the Bathurst 1000 next weekend, most drivers will be tapering off their training, getting into debriefings with engineers and getting their kit together. The defending champion is doing it a little differently - he's off haring around the Western Australian deserts defending his Australasian Safari title from 2010 in a Holden Colorado ute.

He's doing well, too - after leg four, he and co-driver John Panozzo are 20 minutes ahead in the auto section. After a massive 662km stage, Lowndesy is as chipper as ever. "I had a good day! The first stage was challenging navigationally and a bit rough, but not as rough as Leg 1," he told waiting media.

More pics here

Stay tuned to TopGear.com as we bring you updates and pics from Safari. We're also ramping up to the Great Race next week with some great features and pics - and your chance to hang out with the mag guys on the Mountain!