Enjoying the opportunity to spread his feet across the pedals of many New Zealand based motor racing series this year, Kiwi V8 Supercar legend Shane Van Gisbergen has confirmed his partnership with NZ based tyre company Carters Tyre Service supported by GT Radial New Zealand.
This will see Van Gisbergen compete in the popular annual South Island Endurance season, commencing in September 2013 at the Highlands Motorsport Park.
Determined to make the most of his passion for all forms of Motortsport since exiting V8Supercar team Stone Brothers Racing in 2012, Van Gisbergen has confidently ‘sampled the field’ this past 12 months -seeing the 25 year old enjoy new experiences behind the wheels and in control of various Drift, Rally, Saloon and competition vehicles.
Building on the long-standing relationship between Carters Tyre Service Garry, Matt and Dwayne Carter, Van Gisbergen was recently spotted in the at Cromwell’s Highlands Motorsport Park obtaining some more time in the driver’s seat of the GT Radial Ford Falcon – the teams vehicle which they will take into the South Island Endurance Season for 2013/2014.
“It’s great to allow Shane the opportunity to keep driving here in NZ – it’s his home, it’s his sport and he’s only just reaching his prime now Says team owner Garry Carter. Watching Shane drive the car is inspiring, and it’s a great lift for the team. Shane’s in his element on that track and we love that he’s happy – so naturally we’ve welcomed him with open arms to share the season with us.”
Carters Tyre Service has supported many of Van Gisbergen’s campaigns in New Zealand based motorsport – the latest being his 2013 title fight for the V8 Super Tourer championship, which will soon branch into its own endurance focussed leg in remaining rounds of the season.
Commenting further on Van Gisbergen’s commitment to NZ racing, Carter goes on to say “not only is it good for Shane to be able to do what he loves without the single focus onV8Supercar racing, it’s amazing profile for the South Island based endurance series also. Shane has a huge base of passionate and loyal fans down here, young and old that will love being able to see him in action on their home turf.”
With a busy schedule of racing planned for the summer ahead, Van Gisbergen will balance his involvement in the South Island Endurance Series with his commitment to V8 Supercar team Tekno Racing, his second year of competition in the D1NZ National Drifting Championship and V8SuperTourer season. No mean feat for any professional driver, but a strong testament to Van Gisbergen’s desire to remain involved and loyal to New Zealand motor racing moving forward in his career, wherever that may take him.
GT Radial New Zealand Marketing Manager Vince Jones says “it’s certainly great to see Shane return, and embed himself further in New Zealand endurance racing. GT Radial NZ is proud to be part of the team with Carters making it happen this season. GT Radial New Zealand, like Carters has a long-standing involvement in New Zealand Motorsport, and we’re exceptionally glad to see the decision Shane has made to keep himself involved in New Zealand motor racing. Now that he’s able to make that happen, we encourage him to enjoy his racing in the South Island Endurance racing with GT Radial NZ and the Carters Tyres team.”
