Since a class-winning debut in last year's main Targa event, Lowe's New Zealand-based crew Enzed has stripped and rebuilt his car upgrading the turbocharger, rebuilding the gearbox and adding some factory-supplied suspension and brake parts.
And Lowe, who squeezes into the car with a 1.95m frame, hopes his experience of Rotorua roads will give him an advantage and the upgraded brake package could shave seconds off his crucial stage times.
"This is very much a home event for me and the roads are magnificent in this area - I hope my knowledge of the roads may give me an edge," he said.
"Our roads are unique in the world, and very hard on brakes, much harder than race tracks in fact as with very few straight bits there is little time for them to cool down.
"My aim is to firstly finish the race as a lot don't and then if things go the team's way who knows? The car is very light, fast and nimble and if conditions are right it could play to our advantage.
"I'll put top 10 out there but there will be some very difficult cars to beat. I'll be watching out for the Mini Coopers - they are really fast, BMWs and of course Porsche - we definitely want to catch a lot of Porsche!"
This year the competition crosses the Kaimais for stages between Putaruru in the south and Matamata in the east before returning to Rotorua tomorrow evening, then completes a full day in and around Rotorua on Sunday.
Lowe will be joined on the course by co-driver Phil Sutton and crew members Nigel Derbyshire and Dave Jowett and has every confidence in his team, especially Sutton who has to instruct whilst the vehicle reaches speeds of up to 200km/h.
"Why I think we work so well together is because we are great friends and of course we all absolutely love Fiats," said Lowe. "You have to be confident or that's it - you have completely had it. I do get a dry mouth when driving as it is scary at times. I have complete faith in Phil though - he is fearless it's unreal."
The event has attracted 59 entries across the three competition classes - the Modern 2WD, the Classic 2WD and the 4WD .
"There will really be something for everyone on the day. We have $20 million worth of show cars to see, classic, modern and super cars models and a thrilling competition," said event director Peter Martin.
The rally will start at 8am tomorrow at Rydges Rotorua Hotel on Fenton St and Leg Two at 8.15am.
