PRESS ROOM

Van Gisbergen Steady in Opening Race at Albert Park

V8 Supercars Manufacturers Challenge, Australian Grand Prix Circuit, VIC

14 March 2008

SP Tools Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen has kept his nose clean to finish 15th in today’s first race of the V8 Supercars Manufacturers Challenge at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit.

Van Gisbergen qualified 14th in yesterday’s 30 minute session but moved back to 16th on the grid as the Ford versus Holden grid took shape.

The SP Tools Racing driver, who has never raced at the 5.3km circuit, stayed out of trouble early, settling into a rhythm and 15th place in scorching 40 degree conditions.

Van Gisbergen was hit by Todd Kelly late in the race as he passed the Jack Daniels driver on the inside, causing damage to the front of the SP Tools Racing Falcon. However, the young Kiwi driver was able to continue to the chequered flag.

JELD-WEN Motorsport’s James Courtney started from 14th on the grid, but suffered bent steering to the JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcon off the line as cars dived around a slow-moving Jamie Whincup.

Courtney battled with the damaged JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcon early in the race, dropping to 18th position before an incident with Jason Bright on lap nine saw the Gold Coast driver served with a drive through penalty.

The penalty dropped Courtney to 26th place. He was able to make up two positions on the closing laps to cross the line in 24th position.

The JELD-WEN Motorsport and SP Tools Racing crews will make repairs to the SBR Falcons overnight. Courtney and van Gisbergen will be back on the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit for race two of the V8 Supercars Manufacturers Challenge at 3:30pm tomorrow.

James Courtney, car #4, JELD-WEN Motorsport

“We had bent steering in the JELD-WEN Falcon from the start of today’s race.

“Jamie (Whincup) bagged it up off the line and everyone went around and I got hit in the side.

“Then we got a drive-through for the incident with (Jason) Bright; I felt that there was an overlap and he turned in but the officials didn’t see it that way.

“We really can’t treat the rest of the weekend as anything more than a test session from now on.”

Shane van Gisbergen, car #9, SP Tools Racing

“We got a little bit tangled in the mess at the start line but didn’t suffer any damage.

“I was able to settle into a rhythm and race with Craig Lowndes for a few laps until he got past. I followed him for a while and picked up a few things about the circuit.

“Later in the race I passed Todd Kelly after he made a mistake. He tried to cover it too late and came across the front of the SP Tools Racing Falcon and bent something in the front end.

“We struggled with the rear tyres going off towards the end but we managed to finish where we started and it keeps us in the same spot for tomorrow.”

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Van Gisbergen Steady in Opening Race at Albert Park

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