SP Tools Racing

Round 13, Falken Tasmania Challenge, Symmons Plains, Tasmania

It was a weekend without fortune for SP Tools Racing Shane van Gisbergen and his team-mate James Courtney (JELD-WEN Motorsport) in the penultimate round of the V8 Supercar Championship in Tasmania today.

Both drivers found excellent speed but both suffered mishaps out of their control that thwarted their attempts to play a strong part in proceedings.

Today there were high hopes for van Gisbergen who started fifth on the grid following his outstanding drive in the greasy conditions yesterday.

After charging up to fourth he suffered a fuel pump problem and was forced to withdraw, leaving him to come from the back of the grid for the final race.

He was making progress in race three but a drive through penalty negated his progress.

Shane van Gisbergen, #9, SP Tools Racing Falcon:

“We settled into a good rhythm in race two and were running in the top five easily.  Then we had a fuel pressure problem and while we were able to switch to the reserve for a while we knew it wasn’t going to last.

“We had good speed and good tyres for race three and we knew we could come through. I went to pass Marcus Marshall but he moved across on me. I couldn’t stop and turned him around. And then was give a drive through penalty.

“We know we have the speed but we had some bad luck.

“I’m looking forward to Oran Park. It’s my favourite circuit and where I made my debut last year. I’m pretty confident there. We’ve just got to put a full weekend together.”

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Round 13, Falken Tasmania Challenge, Symmons Plains, Tasmania

SP TOOLS Racing Shane van Gisbergen produced a stunning performance to finish fifth in the first race of the Falken Tasmania Challenge at Symmons Plains today.

The 19 year old van Gisbergen again produced a display that belied his age, bursting through the pack in the wet conditions from 16th on the grid up to third after only four laps.
He stayed out as the weather worsened before pitting on lap 23. However he made a slight mistake on his first corner with cold tyres which pushed him back to 11th. Making up ground as the track improved, van Gisbergen again produced an eye-catching performance to finish fifth and challenging Will Davison for fourth.

Shane van Gisbergen, #9, SP Tools Racing Falcon:

“We made up quite a few spots at the start and got into third pretty quick when Tander went off. The car seems to suit those conditions and I seem to be able to go alright in them.

“The wet is good fun as well. You can throw the car around and get in to it, so I was enjoying myself out there. There’s a lot more variables in it and I was able to try a few things.

“We were seeing it getting wetter and wetter and the guys with wets started to put times in to us. Unfortunately I sent off leaving the pits so that cost us a bit of time. I just under-steered there on cold tyres.

“Whe n it was at its wettest we were holding position and when it started to dry I was able to make some gains.

“Fifth is a great start for the weekend. Hopefully we can stay up there tomorrow and finish off the weekend strong.

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