Australian renowned racing car driver Craig Lowndes will hit the Highlands tomorrow to promote GMC tools at Mittagong HOME Hardware.

Lowndes has taken time out of his busy schedule to sign autographs as well as draw the winner of HOME Hardware's promotional raffle and will be in the store from 12pm-1.30pm.

HOME Hardware manager David Voulgaris said it was a big thing for the Highlands to have someone of Lowndes caliber visiting the district.

"It is only through GMC tools that we have this because we are their number one retailer Australia-wide," he said.

"And we hope he attracts heaps of car fans to come to the store."

Customers can also have the chance to win an autographed racing jacket as well as a mountain bike in the stores March sale.

Background information:

Lowndes started his racing career in go-karts when he was nine-years-old before he moved into Formula Ford and took the national title in 1993.

From there, Lowndes had a short stint in Formula Holden, which set the scene for his break into V8 Supercars.

That same year he was offered a test drive with the Holden Racing Team and drove the endurance races in 1994 and 1995.

In 1996 he became the youngest ever touring car champion in his very first year.

He was also only the second driver to win Sandown and Bathurst in the same year.

His strong start in last year's season has excelled most people's expectations and the spotlight continues to focus on Craig in 2002.

See Monday's Southern Highland News for an interview with Lowndes and his plans for this year.