Craig Lowndes challenged to take V8 ute up famous hill
The owners of The Springs 4x4 Park – home to the famed Beer O’Clock Hill – have thrown down the gauntlet to Craig Lowndes and his Finke-winning Chevrolet Silverado.
Australian racing legend Craig Lowndes has conquered most automotive challenges he’s faced, but now an unexpected one has been thrown his way: Beer O’Clock Hill.
In a video posted to social media, Lucas Bree – who runs Team Bree Offroad and runs The Springs 4x4 Park – announced Lowndes’ major backer, Supercheap Auto, had been to Beer O’Clock Hill to add their sponsorship to the venue, with an added twist.
“The deal is: Craig Lowndes and his Finke (Desert Race)-winning Chevy Silverado, can he get it to the top of Beer O’Clock Hill?” Bree said.
“With enough noise, Supercheap Auto are going to do their best to get him here, and get it done.
Lowndes and navigator Dale Moscatt won the 2026 Finke Desert Race’s Production 4WD in their Chevrolet Silverado ZR2, with the 6.2-litre V8-powered pickup equipped only with safety modifications and tougher all-terrain tyres.
In theory, the steep, rutted 100 metre-long hill should be a relatively easy challenge for the Silverado ZR2, as Bree himself has driven one up the path in the past.
However, it may be more difficult for Lowndes, who up until now has had racing experience on far smoother courses, both on- and off-road.
Beer O’Clock Hill has become known as something of a car killer, though recently it’s been used for some new-car brands – especially emerging Chinese competitors – to show how tough their vehicles are.
Earlier this year, Denza sent the Prado-sized B5 and LandCruiser 300-sized B8 up the hill, while GWM has successfully reached the top too with its Cannon and Cannon Alpha utes, plus the Tank 300 and 500 SUVs.
Jordan Mulach
