New Zealand V8 Supercars driver Shane van Gisbergen is definitely back in the game.

In a new team, and paying no attention to political storm raging around his departure from Stone Brothers Racing, the 23-year old put his car on pole twice, top three in race one before a mechanical drama and took line honours in yesterday’s second race.

No one really knew what the 2013 season opener in Adelaide for the Clipsal 500 would bring with 28 new generation cars on the grid.

It was van Gisbergen though, who was fast right from the start of the weekend and has now thrown down the gauntlet to some of the more established teams by proving the fledgling Tekno Autosports outfit could be one to be reckoned with this year.

“It is just awesome to get the win today after everything else that has gone on,” said van Gisbergen. “I got a good start this time unlike race one when I forgot to put the car in gear.

“The was brilliant and felt really good and I can’t thank the whole team enough for giving me such a great car.

“I’m actually pretty overwhelmed to be sitting up here [winners seat at press conference]. It was a tough race but the car had great pace and we were okay on fuel.”

The win was van Gisbergen’s third career top spot, and while it didn’t quite match up to his victory on home soils in Hamilton, it’s definitely a close second.

“Today’s win is up there but not quite as good as winning in front of your home crowd. It’s just great to get in a good car and go racing. I really enjoyed it out there,” said van Gisbergen.

Announcing to V8 fraternity he’s going to be force to be reckoned with, 19-year-old fellow Kiwi Scott McLaughlin backed up his sixth in race one with a fighting ninth after receiving a welcome to the main game from James Courtney.

“I’m the new boy and I was expecting something like that,” said McLaughlin. “I didn’t quite have the pace and was holding him up a bit so he hit me.

“The results are for the whole team and I’m stoked. I came in here not really knowing how I’d go and they say if you get through Clipsal you can get through anything.”

For the other two Kiwis in the field, Fabian Coulthard and Jonny Reid it was a weekend to forget. Coulthard had a fast car and was fighting for a podium in both races unlike caught out by mechanical gremlins and Reid failed to finish either race as well.

Defending champion Jamie Whincup came home second with teammate Craig Lowndes in third.