Kiwi racer and current Supercars championship leader Shane van Gisbergen thinks there is a good chance a New Zealander will lift the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy at this week’s ITM Auckland SuperSprint.
It is mathematically possible that the 27-year-old van Gisbergen could win the championship at Pukekohe Park Raceway although his Red Bull Racing teammate Jamie Whincup would need to have a particularly bad round.
But van Gisbergen says he is just won of a number of Kiwis that are capable of delighting the big home crowd.
Volvo driver Scott McLaughlin has tasted success at Pukekohe before while DJR Team Penske’s Fabian Coulthard has a number of race wins to his name over the past few seasons. Super Black Racing’s Chris Pither had a stunning pole position at Ipswich a couple of months ago and Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport driver Andre Heimgartner has plenty of experience at the Pukekohe track.
“We have got five guys in the championship now all in pretty competitive cars,” van Gisbergen tells herald.co.nz.
“Hopefully one of us can give everyone something to cheer for.
“Last year I think Scotty was pretty fast and I won a race as well.”
In a unique experience van Gisbergen will actually sleep at his family home in Manukau while he’s back for the week and drive out to the track to compete.
“It is always cool racing here, staying at home and driving to the track – I only just grew up down the road in Manukau – so it really is a home track for me,” he says.
