Shane van Gisbergen to leave V8 Supercars Championship

Stone Brothers Racing driver Shane van Gisbergen will leave the V8 Supercars Championship at the conclusion of this season, citing personal reasons for his decision.

The 23-year-old has raced for Stone Brothers Racing for the past five seasons in the Championship, after the New Zealander made his debut during the last half of the 2007 season for Team Kiwi Racing.

Van Gisbergen’s current contract ends at the end of this season, though he had agreed a three-year extension earlier this year, which would have seen him racing for the team as it partnered up with Erebus Motorsport and brought Mercedes-Benz into the Championship.

Stone Brothers Racing have agreed to release him from his contract, and van Gisbergen and the team have put out the following statements:
“Today I am announcing that I will be leaving Stone Brothers Racing and the sport of V8 Supercars,” said van Gisbergen. “Contrary to media reports, I do not wish to race for another V8 Supercar team and my decision to leave the sport has in no way been caused by Ross and Jimmy’s decision to switch manufacturers in 2013 or the teams partnership with Erebus Motorsport.”

“I am leaving V8 Supercars due to personal reasons which I do not wish to discuss in the public domain. I will be moving back home to New Zealand and have no fixed plans for the future.”

“I have enjoyed five successful years with Stone Brothers Racing and was given a unique opportunity by the team to race V8s at a very young age, which I am very grateful for.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ross, Jimmy, my sponsors and my team for the time and money they invested in me during my V8 career.”

Team Principal Ross Stone added:
“SBR are disappointed to be losing such an exceptional talent and while there has been much speculation in the media regarding the reasons behind Shane wanting to leave, it is not for want of driving for another V8 team.”

“Shane’s motives to quit the sport are private and SBR have agreed that the best way forward for all parties is to release Shane from his current three year contract.”

“Major sponsor of the #9 SP Tools Racing Falcon, SP Tools, and SBR’s relationship will not be affected by Shane’s departure from the team and they will continue the three year contract they currently have.”

“This decision will also not in any way affect the newly formed partnership between SBR and Erebus Motorsport, nor will it have any impact on the current sponsorship contracts we have.”

“At this point in time we are not in a position to say who the replacement driver for the #9 car will be, but this will be announced before the start of the 2013 season.”