Having first unveiled the competition variant of the truck as a Concept in November 2022, GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) has just officially debuted the Chevy Silverado ZR2 Off-Road Racer in Australia.
GM’s Australian subsidiary revealed the final version of the Chevy Silverado ZR2 Off-Road Racer, a racing variant specially prepared by the company’s local engineering team in Australia for the Tatts Finke Desert Race – the largest and most challenging off-road race in the country. The locally developed Off-Road Racer truck will be Chevrolet Racing’s entry in the ‘Production Four Wheel Drive Class’ of said competition.
“This is Chevrolet Racing’s first foray into the world of Off-Road Racing and builds on other motorsport categories we compete in, including Supercars and Drag Racing,” said General Manager Chevrolet Racing Australia and New Zealand, Chris Payne. “It’s a natural fit for a vehicle such as the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2, which is already an accomplished all-terrain performer in its own right, as this provides an opportunity to showcase all-round capability and demonstrate multi-purpose off-road prowess,” he added.
The Chevy Silverado ZR2 Off-Road Racer was built at GMSV’s Port Melbourne workshop by an enthusiastic group of employees and then taken to the next level with the involvement of Chevrolet Racing and competition partner Rampex, who will support the Finke racing effort. In addition, preparations included collaboration with the American GM Motorsports Division and the Hall Racing team, especially with suspension development.
In fact, the Chevy Silverado ZR2 Off-Road Racer’s debut coincided with the announcement of the official Chevrolet Racing team drivers for the Tatts Finke Desert Race in Australia. Craig Lowndes is a three-time Supercars series champion who daily drives a Silverado ZR2, while Lowndes’ partner will be navigator Dale Moscatt, who has extensive experience in the field of off-road racing.
“I’m thrilled to be taking the Silverado to Finke. It’s been a while since I won the Australian Safari, which was way back in 2010, this is going to be a great test,” said Craig Lowndes. “I drive a Silverado ZR2 every day and regularly put it through its paces off-road on weekends, as well as towing our caravan yearly to the Bathurst 1000. It covers impressive distances and handles Australian conditions so easily, now we’re out to prove its off-road capability,” he finished.
The 2024 Tatts Finke Desert Race will take place from June 7th to the 10th and teams will compete from the Australian city of Alice Springs to the indigenous community of Aputula (Finke), and vice versa.
