By Dale Budge
Bathurst champ and Supercars star Shane van Gisbergen produced a drive for the ages as he stormed from last to first to win the New Zealand Grand Prix at Hampton Downs on Sunday night.
A freak accident in his pit garage as he hopped into his car saw him set off the fire extinguisher as he was about to head out onto the track for the start of the race.
Rules meant he had to replace the extinguisher and his M2 team couldn’t get it changed in time for the 31-year-old to exit the lane.
But with a bit between his teeth, he sliced through the field with aggressive moves and brilliant car control, picking off rival after rival over the first two thirds of the race.
On lap 19 of 28 he sneaked by fellow Supercars star Andre Heimgartner to take the lead of the race as the large crowd shook their collective heads at his prowess.
Van Gisbergen, who had earlier won the morning race to go with Saturday’s first up win, cruised to victory from there and took the chequered flag to ensure his name would join the likes of Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jack Brabham and Sir Jackie Stewart as New Zealand Grand Prix winners.
“I thought it was going to be tough starting from 10th let alone pit lane,” Van Gisbergen said after the race.
“That was awesome – I don’t know how the front wing is still on the thing because I had to rough up a few guys but it was unreal.
“The M2 guys who put in so much and gave me a great car. A big thanks to Red Bull, Hampton Downs and the Hampton Driving Academy.
“It was an awesome weekend.”
Heimgartner finished second while Pukekohe youngster Matthew Payne took an impressive third to complete the podium.
Chris van der Drift looked primed to be a contender but damaged his wing going for the lead and was forced to pit to fix it, effectively ending his chances.
Three-time winner Kenny Smith, in his 50th Grand Prix battled a painful shoulder injury but managed to get to the end to reach his milestone.
He then presented Van Gisbergen with the trophy in a touching moment.
It has been an incredible summer at home in New Zealand for Van Gisbergen, who won the Battle of Jacks Ridge rally sprint before completing a weekend trifecta of race wins at Hampton Downs in the Toyota Racing Series.
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