Motorsport: Lowndes and Skaife will defend Bathurst title

Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife after their Bathurst victory last year. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Superstar duo Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife are again set to join forces in 2011 to defend the Bathurst 1000 crown they won so dramatically last year.

At yesterday's TeamVodafone launch, two of Australian motor sport's most popular figures announced they will again team up for the endurance event and feel they are in an ideal position to claim back-to-back Bathurst wins.

Lowndes, who held off teammate Jamie Whincup last year in a memorable Bathurst finish, said he and Skaife were as focused as ever on repeating the celebrated feat.

"That win last year was so special to all of us and we are really looking forward to pairing up again and seeing what we can achieve," Lowndes said.

"We have got it all organised a lot earlier this year and that should mean we go into it with a much better preparation than last year.

"We got a lot of confidence and took a lot of pride out of what we did last year and would love to do it all again.

"It's fun to have (Skaife) back."

Lowndes and Skaife will also look to defend their Phillip Island 500 victory and the latter, who made the decision over the Christmas break to continue racing, is delighted to be involved again.

"It was one of the easiest decision I have ever made," he said.

"What we did last year was just fantastic.

"To be able to come back after 10 years and win it was unbelievable.

"When I retired from racing full-time I was never going to go cold turkey and it's great to still be a part of the series."

Whincup and Lowndes revealed TeamVodafone's new look and livery at Sydney's Barangaroo precinct on the Harbour Foreshore.

Whincup said he was still hurting from a mixed 2010, when he lost the V8 Supercar Championship to James Courtney.

"It hurt to lose it back then and it still hurts now," he said.

"I didn't enjoy taking the number one stickers off the car.

"We did a really good job last year, we won more races and more pole positions, but ultimately we didn't get the result we wanted.

"Because of that disappointment there is a lot of motivation to go one better this year."

Whincup will partner former Bundaberg Red driver Andrew Thompson in the endurance events.

Across town at the Carriage Works in Redfern, four-time Bathurst winner Greg Murphy was announced as the driver of the V8 Supercar Championship's newest team Pepsi Max Crew.

After a largely forgettable last few years, Murphy said he was determined to prove he was still a force in motor racing.

"This is another huge opportunity for me," he said.

"I'm honoured and privileged to be a part of this. I just can't wait to get out there again.

"The desire to be successful is as strong as it has ever been."

- AAP