Three-time Repco Supercars Championship winner Shane van Gisbergen is dabbling in another category this weekend, which is totally different to anything he has driven before.
Aussie Racing Cars has been a stable of the local motorsport scene for more than 20 years and has thrilled fans with its close racing as well as its slip-streaming battles.
Van Gisbergen joins a 26-car field this weekend at the season finale hosted by the Highlands Motorsport Park, which in turn is celebrating its 10 year anniversary.
Already contesting the Highlands Six Hour main event, van Gisbergen is excited to get the opportunity to drive an Aussie Racing Car modelled off the successful Legends formula in the US.
Despite encountering trouble early on, van Gisbergen was able to beat the season regulars to pole ahead of four races at the picturesque circuit located in Cromwell, near Queenstown.
“It’s been cool to be here in the Aussie Racing Cars,” said van Gisbergen.
“We had a drama with the gearbox. It had ghost gears, so we changed a motor and I missed Practice 1.
“Practice 2 was awesome. I had some battles and learned how to race these cars.
“In qualifying, I was going good, and I snuck up behind a blue car, I’m not sure who it was, but I got a massive tow off him and got pole, so very, very cool.
“The racing is going to be a blast. There’s five or six fast guys, and then through all of the classes, everyone is really close.
“The Highlands circuit is perfect for these cars. The track is very technical, fast and flowing, and I’m sure they’ll be a lot of passing in the races. It will be epic.”
All the action from Highlands will be broadcast on Fox Sports starting at 9:30am tomorrow morning.
Check out van Gisbergen’s hot lap HERE.