SVG’s march this season has been unstoppable. The driver claiming a record 21 race wins through the year.
Giltrap Group backed Kiwi, Shane van Gisbergen was untouchable on the streets of the Gold Coast this weekend decisively winning both of the punishing 250km races and securing his third Supercar Championship.
Having won in 2016 and 2021, this season’s victory makes him only the eleventh driver to win 2 consecutive championships, but his win rate through the year is arguably the greater achievement, locking in a record 21 wins in the season so far with Adelaide still to conclude the season in December.
Red Bull Ampol Racing also took home the constructer’s championship following the race on Sunday.
Shane started from P2 on the grid but quickly passed for lead and was able to run away from the field building a 17 second buffer during the Saturday race.
The conditions were gruelling, requiring drivers to battle 60 degree car temperatures for nearly 2 hours. SVG has previously expressed he’s not as comfortable in extreme heat, but he was able to persevere and maintain winning pace for the duration. In the post-race interviews the drivers, including Shane, were visibly exhausted from the physically taxing street circuit.
Van Gisbergen was fortunate to avoid the drama of Sunday’s race. Following a superb top ten qualifying effort, Rookie driver James Golding, made violent contact with a tyre bundle mid chicane within the opening stages of the race. The impact launching him in mid air across the track leaving the train of cars behind with nowhere to go and a massive pile up ensued causing a red flag stoppage.
Upon restart, SVG promptly dispatched the Shell V Power Mustang of Will Davison and maintained the lead, also defending against a late charge from Chaz Mostert in the final stages.
“It’s been an awesome weekend, can’t thank the team enough. To come home with a couple of gold surfboard is pretty awesome. I was good to do a few skids after (Sunday’s) race. I couldn’t do one yesterday so did one today and seeing Scotty (McLaughlin) up there was bit of encouragement. I want to win more races so for sure we can go to Adelaide as a celebration and have a good time. We also have the chance to celebrate Holden, that’s going to mean a lot to our team and GM so for sure we want to go out with a good result. Everyone wants to be the last Holden winner and the Ford guys probably want to spoil that, so I’ll be there prepared but also ready to party.” Said van Gisbergen.
With his third championship now in the bag, it does raise some questions around what’s next for van Gisbergen. While it is largely expected, he has yet to confirm another season with Red Bull Ampol racing, and has made his passion for Rallying very clear, and rumours of a NASCAR approach have also been linked to the driver. He says his future will depend on next year’s Gen 3 Camaro.
"I would like to say here. If I stay in Supercars, I'll definitely stay with Triple Eight, I love the team. We have started talking about a new deal, but maybe I'd like to start next year and see what the racing is like, the [Gen3] car has potential… hopefully next year it's a better race car. Said van Gisbergen in the post-race press conference.
"I'd love to stay in Supercars, it's close to home.”
