Photo: V8 Supercars

SBR considers legal action against Van Gisbergen

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Stone Brothers Racing (SBR) considers to take legal action against their former driver Shane van Gisbergen.
“To say that SBR is displeased with the conduct of SVG (Shane van Gisbergen) is to say the least. SBR is considering its legal position and whether it is worthwhile holding SVG to his promises,” read a statement from the team.

Van Gisbergen recently announced to drive for Tekno Autosports (TA) in the 2013 V8 Supercars, despite agreeing with SBR to not test, practice or race any V8 Supercar in 2013.
“SVG was very clear that he wanted a year off and wasn’t going to race again unless he wanted too, not because others wanted him to race. He was going to live in his parent’s pool apartment and “chill out” for a year.

“In the circumstances, SBR agreed to release SVG from his 2013, 2014 and 2015 driving contract. SBR and SVG signed a brief termination document. To protect itself and its sponsors SBR required SVG to agree not to test, practice or race any V8 Supercar in 2013. The termination document allowed SVG to race anything other than a V8 Supercar in 2013 if he so wished. The termination document allowed SVG to do whatever he wished from 2014 onwards,” continued the SBR statement.

The relationship between van Gisbergen and Stone Brothers Racing had gone sour long before the 2012 season end.
“At Winton, Friday morning 16th November 2012, Shane van Gisbergen asked if all the SBR traveling race crew could be assembled first thing in the morning. SVG informed the race crew that he wasn’t enjoying his racing and he was going to take a year off and might race quad bikes for fun.

“SVG’s statement that he was not enjoying his racing was no surprise. This was clear enough at the previous race meets at Bathurst and the Gold Coast 600 where it was almost impossible to get SVG to attend autograph sessions and sometimes even communicate with his engineer and crew.

“Less than two months later SVG now proposes, through the media, to race a V8 Supercar for another team in 2013 contrary to the termination agreement. SVG has explained his move on the basis of dissatisfaction with the direction in which SBR was heading. At no time during the termination process did SVG express any such dissatisfaction with SBR; in fact the opposite was communicated to SBR management on numerous occasions.”