Van Gisbergen fifth in Clipsal debut

SP Tools Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen has put in an amazing drive in his first Clipsal 500 Adelaide to finish fifth in today’s 250km race at the Adelaide Parklands circuit.
The 18 year-old Kiwi kept his nose clean throughout the 78-lap race, picking his way through the field from 12th on the grid.

A tentative start saw him lose five positions, however van Gisbergen steadied, emerging from his two compulsory pit stops in 12th place.

The SP Tools Racing driver settled into a rhythm, keeping out of the late-race mayhem to pick off another seven positions in the closing stages of the race.

JELD-WEN Motorsport’s James Courtney had another horror day at the 3.22km circuit, retiring from the race on lap 56 after a passing move by Craig Lowndes at turn ten drove both cars into the concrete barrier, neither car able to continue.

Courtney was in second place at the time, having raced his way from 16th on the grid.

The JELD-WEN Motorsport driver was on a mission, having made his way to eighth before his compulsory tyre stop on lap 31 and third by lap 43 when he stopped for fuel.

Courtney took advantage the scrap between Lee Holdsworth and Craig Lowndes on lap 45, ducking up the inside of the pair at turn nine to move into second position, where he remained until the incident with Lowndes.

After round one of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, Shane van Gisbergen is sixth in the championship standings, with James Courtney in 24th following today’s retirement.

The V8 Supercar Championship Series moves to Eastern Creek in two weeks time.

James Courtney said: “Craig (Lowndes) had been hitting people in the rear all day at that turn and then he did it to me. He wasn’t able to get right up beside me after the corner but he still turned in on me.

“I had nowhere to go, I don’t know if he thought I was going to disappear but it’s just disappointing. It could have been avoided if he had given me some racing room and we could have both made it around

“We had a really good car all weekend and to have two stupid incidents put us out of the races is very disappointing.

“Obviously I’m not happy and I’m sure Ross and Jimmy are pretty upset; we’ve got a badly damaged car on our hands and a lot of work to put it back together.”

Team mate Shane van Gisbergen said: “There was a lot going on today during the race, plenty of desperate moves from a lot of the guys out there.

“For me, it was a matter of keeping it really clean and straight. We had very consistent lap times right through the race and it was just a great job from the boys, the SP Tools Racing crew really deserve it.

“I guess there were a lot of unfortunate drivers out there today, but we just tried to stick with the front bunch and we came away with the result.

“I really didn’t think we would be in the top five this early. It’s just awesome; I passed people like my childhood hero Murph (Greg Murphy) and Rick Kelly, a V8 Supercar champion. I just can’t wait to get up there on the top step of the podium.”

Stone Brothers Racing Team Manager Ross Stone was delighted: “Shane’s effort today was absolutely outstanding. To pass drivers such as Rick Kelly and hold him off for a number of laps was very impressive.

“The SP Tools Racing Falcon had good race speed and Shane’s race craft was excellent.

“Jimmy and I felt that a top 15 finish would be a good result here so a top five result is just a bonus.

“James had great speed this weekend and some good stops and strategy today got him into second position.

“I am sure the Stewards will have a long, hard look at the incident between James and Craig (Lowndes) and I will be very interested to see the result of the hearing.”