Supercars ace Shane van Gisbergen has continued to show off his phenomenal racing versatility by winning the opening race of the Castrol Toyota Racing Series New Zealand Grand Prix meeting at Hampton Downs.
The Red Bull racer started the 20-lap race from second and made his move on pole-sitter Chris van der Drift six laps into the race after a sustained battle between the pair.
But once clear of Van der Drift, the 31-year-old Bathurst winner cruised to victory in an ominous sign for the all-Kiwi field.
It backs up Van Gisbergen’s stunning performance that saw him win the Battle of Jacks Ridge rally sprint prior to Christmas.
Van der Drift was untroubled in second while Pukekohe youngster Matthew Payne finished a superb third to complete the podium.
Brendon Leitch finished fourth with Kaleb Ngatoa fifth and Supercars driver Andre Heimgartner in sixth – up three places from ninth on the grid.
Pukekohe’s Billy Frazer was 10th.
Two more races await drivers on Sunday, including the 28-lap New Zealand Grand Prix.
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