VAN GISBERGEN LOOKING FOR BETTER TOWNSVILLE LUCK THIS WEEKEND

Last year the then just-turned 20-year-old qualified fifth quickest and was seventh in the Top Ten Shootout only to be punished in the races - by pit strategy in the first one, and a steering rack problem in the second.

A year is a lifetime on the Australian V8 Supercar scene however and this time round the now just-turned 21-year-old headed north from his Gold Coast base on the back of yet another podium finish, this time at the Hidden Valley circuit in Darwin in Australia's Far North.

By far the best of the young guns currently contesting the V8 Supercar championship, the young Kiwi currently lies fourth in the series points standings behind fellow Ford driver James Courtney and Holden teammates Jamie Whincup, the defending series champion, and former champ Craig Lowndes.

Though there has already been a short break in the calendar this year (the regular round at Perth was cancelled) this weekend's Townsville event marks the end of the first half of the season proper, with a nine week break through the rest of July, August and early September before the second half starts with the first endurance round at Phillip Island.

This weekend's race format follows standard sprint event procedure with practice on Friday, the first qualifying session, Top Ten Shootout and first (in this case 72 lap/200km) race on Saturday, before a second qualifying session and second 67 lap/200km race on Sunday.

Like last year Shane has been doing client visits on behalf of his sponsors on the way from the Gold Coast to Townsville. He has enjoyed the trip but has been struggling with the flu and is hoping he can kick it before the weekend.

Ends

Points after Rnd 8
1. James Courtney 1698
2. Jamie Whincup 1641
3. Craig Lowndes 1452
4. Shane van Gisbergen SP Tools Racing 1412
5. Mark Winterbottom 1344
6. Garth Tander 1242
7. Rick Kelly 1226
8. Lee Holdsworth 1218
9. Michael Caruso 1139
10. Steven Johnson 1040
11. Paul Dumbrell 933
12. Jason Richards 912
13. Jonathon Webb 870
14. Russell Ingall 869
15. Tony D'Alberto 849
16. Tim Slade 813
17. Jason Bright 794
18. Will Davison 792
19. Todd Kelly 768
20. Steven Richards 615