Shane van Gisbergen has labelled this weekend’s season opener, the Clipsal 500, as the great unknown, but is confident he can continue his race winning form in the new look Darrell Lea STIX/Lucas Oil Holden Commodore.
The series runner up said the recent V8 SuperTest at Sydney Motorsport Park doesn’t reflect where people will be at Clipsal, and a lack of quality tyres for the weekend meant he didn’t show his true speed.
“Clipsal is an unknown. Nobody knows who’s going to be fast and it’s always interesting to see who turns up with a strong car,” Van Gisbergen said.
“Comparing times from the test is bit meaningless. We have no idea where we in relation to the field, but no one else does either.”
Van Gisbergen enters his third year with Holden outfit TEKNO Autosports, a combination that was an instant success. He won the Clipsal 500 in 2013 with a clean sweep, and backed it up with pole and two podiums last year.
“Ever since I joined TEKNO and Holden I’ve gone well at Adelaide, and there’s no reason that won’t continue this year,” Van Gisbergen said.
“We have the same car as last year with the same personnel, and everyone in the team is comfortable. The #97 STIX Commodore has always been suited to the street circuits.
“I’m just looking forward to getting on track and showing off the new colours in-front of a big crowd.”
Tension at the beginning of a V8 Supercar season is always high, with everyone trying to start the season on the front foot, and Van Gisbergen knows how important success at Clipsal is for a title campaign.
“Everyone is fired up at the start of the year. There’s no better way to start the year than with a win,” Van Gisbergen said.
“Clipsal is worth the same points as any other race, but you always want to start the year on a positive and get points the on the board early. It certainly helps your frame of mind for the rest of the season.”
Van Gisbergen also admits Clipsal is one of the hardest events to prepare for.
“It’s tough, just because of the heat. It’s the first race of the year, so it’s not something that you’re acclimatised to, and it’s not something you can simulate,” he said.
“The length of the races is the hardest thing, you get physically tired, which makes it difficult to concentrate.”
The 2015 season kicks off with practice and qualifying on Friday. Races one and two take place over 125kms on Saturday, before qualifying, a Top 10 Shootout and a gruelling 250km race on Sunday.
Friday, 27 February
09:05 – 09:35 - Practice 1
10:50 – 11:20 - Practice 2
12:55 – 13:25 - Practice 3
15:35 – 15:45 - Qualifying - Race 1
16:00 – 16:10 - Qualifying - Race 2
Saturday, 28 February
10:10 – 10:30 - Practice 4
13:45 – 14:47 - Race 1 (39 laps)
16:25 – 17:31 - Race 2 (39 laps)
Sunday, 1 March
10:55 – 11:15 - Qualifying - Race 3
12:10 – 12:35 - Top 10 Shootout
15:25 – 17:26 - Race 3 (78 laps)
*N.B. The above times are all in Australian Central Daylight Time.
