Motorsport: Lowndes, Skaife win Island enduro

Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife drivers of the #1 Team Vodafone Holden celebrate in pit lane after winning race 17. Photo / Getty Images

Veterans Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife have won the 500km V8 Supercar endurance classic for Holden.

The pair, who qualified fourth on the grid, capitalised on mechanical problems from the other TeamVodafone car of Jamie Whincup to seize the lead on lap 92.

They beat home the Ford of Mark Winterbottom and Luke Youlden by 3.28 seconds while Jason Richards and Andy Jones were third in a Holden.

Lowndes and Skaife had not paired together since they won the Queensland 500 in 2000.

Their victory has been a major boost to their chances in next month's Bathurst 1000.

Series leader Whincup suffered a crushing blow when his Commodore was black flagged on lap 92.

Whincup was cruising at the head of the pack when his car developed an oil leak and was forced into the pits.

The 113-lap was largely uneventful, unlike in recent years when wet weather has caused havoc and upset predictions.

- AAP