Van Gisbergen takes first win at home in New Zealand

Shane Van Gisbergen has taken his first V8 Supercars victory at his home event at Hamilton, New Zealand.

After a debut win yesterday, the Kelly Racing team had a great result in qualifying, securing the front row on the grid with Van Gisbergen starting fourth.

Rick Kelly looked set for a podium, but was slowed by damage to his Holden Commodore from contact with the Turn 4 tyre bundle.

Van Gisbergen was raced to the flag by Garry Rogers Motorsport’s Lee Holdsworth, but Van Gisbergen was able to hold on to claim his first career win at home.

“I can’t believe it, I could hear the fans cheering and I was trying to keep concentrating,” said Van Gisbergen.

“It was pretty tough those last few laps. It was déjà vu like Sydney last year but I knew we had plenty of fuel this time – I’m stoked!”

Championship leader Jamie Whincup was caught up in an accident with the other GRM car of Michael Caruso on lap 20. Caruso spun, but was able to continue, but Mark Winterbottom crashed into the Triple Eight car of Whincup, which saw Whincup return to the pits for repairs and go on to finish 18th, whilst Winterbottom was out on the spot.

With Winterbottom’s DNF, the Ford driver drops to fourth in the standings behind Triple Eight’s Craig Lowndes, whilst Rick Kelly’s great weekend elevates the Kelly Racing driver to second in the standings, 81 points down on Whincup.

The next round of the championship see’s the V8 Supercars return to Barbagallo after a year away on April 29th-May 1st.