PODIUM START FOR VAN GISBERGEN IN DARWIN
SP Tools-backed Stone Brothers Racing Ford driver Shane van Gisbergen was again one of the pace-setters in the first race at the eighth round of this year's V8 Supercar championship in Darwin on Saturday afternoon, starting seventh and finishing third.
After being ninth quickest in the initial qualifying session then setting the seventh fastest time in the Top Ten Shootout the just-turned 21-year-old was at his determined best in the race, making the most of a good car and an inspired pit stop strategy. Teammate Tim Slade also did well, qualifying third quickest and crossing the finish line in sixth position.
Shane van Gisbergen – Driver, SP Tools Racing Car #9
“We had a great day, and to have myself and Tim both qualify in the top ten was an awesome result for the team. I got a good start and set a good pace but we stayed out on the first set of tyres a bit longer than the other guys so when we pitted we came out a bit behind the leading group. Despite that I got past Courtney and managed to chase down Garth [Tander] and then Jason [Richards].
"The two leading cars were just too far ahead at that stage to catch up, but a podium is an awesome achievement. I know a race win is close for us but we aren’t rushing things, we just need to qualify a bit better.
“Everyone in the SBR garage is pretty happy at the moment, Sladey put in a great effort to qualify where he did, everyone is charging on and I think if we manage two cars on the podium tomorrow it ought to keep Ross and Jimmy happy!”
The race was won by Top Ten Shootout winner Mark Winterbottom from fellow front row starter Jamie Whincup and van Gisbergen with fellow Kiwi Jason Richards fourth, championship points leader James Courtney fifth and Slade sixth.
The V8 Supercars will hit the track for race 2 at 2:35pm today (Sunday) after qualifying at 12:00pm.
Hidden Valley, Darwin Race 12 (42 laps)
RESULTS
1 5 FPR - Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon/Mark Winterbottom
2 1 TeamVodafone/Jamie Whincup
3 9 SP Tools Racing/Shane van Gisbergen
4 8 Team BOC/Jason Richards
5 18 Jim Beam Racing/James Courtney
6 47 Wilson Security Racing/Tim Slade
7 888 TeamVodafone/Craig Lowndes
8 55 The Bottle-O Racing Team/Paul Dumbrell
9 7 Jack Daniel's Racing/Todd Kelly
10 2 Toll Holden Racing Team/Garth Tander
Top Ten Shootout
1 5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon/Mark Winterbottom 1:09.6854*
2 1 TeamVodafone/Jamie Whincup 1:09.8333
3 47 Wilson Security Racing/Tim Slade 1:09.8836
4 2 Toll Holden Racing Team/Garth Tander 1:09.9374
5 7 Jack Daniel's Racing/Todd Kelly 1:10.0184
6 18 Jim Beam Racing/James Courtney 1:10.2081
7 9 SP Tools Racing/Shane Van Gisbergen 1:10.3361
8 55 The Bottle-O Racing Team/Paul Dumbrell 1:10.3565
9 888 TeamVodafone/Craig Lowndes 1:10.4351
10 8 Team BOC/Jason Richards 1:10.5488
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