Shane van Gisbergen prevailed from adversity back in 2021 when he put on a masterclass in the wet at Sandown.
Regarded as one of the New Zealander’s best Supercars performances, Sandown 2021 is memorable due to the circumstances surrounding the event.
Van Gisbergen arrived at Sandown with a broken collarbone and injured ribs following a mountain bike crash, which resulted in a metal plate being inserted into his left shoulder.
Under pressure to be ready for Sandown, van Gisbergen went through rigorous physiotherapy stints and hyperbaric chamber sessions to ensure he was on the grid.
The weekend didn’t get off to the best start when van Gisbergen only qualified in 17th for the opening race, but the mixed conditions favoured the Red Bull Ampol Racing driver to set-up one of his best performances.
Climbing four positions during the first lap, an early safety car opened the door for van Gisbergen to make further progress.
Being last to pit, van Gisbergen’s fresh tyres paid dividends when leaders Chaz Mostert, Cam Waters and Jamie Whincup battled hard as the race entered its conclusion.
Disposing of both Mostert and Whincup in an audacious lunge at Turn 4, van Gisbergen hunted down Waters on the final lap to take a memorable win.
“I had so much help the last couple of weeks with good surgeons, the hyperbaric chambers, my nice girlfriend looking after me, and our physio,” said van Gisbergen.
“It’s been a pretty tough two weeks but I feel awesome in the car. And obviously my car is great. Hopefully that was good to watch, I was trying!”
Van Gisbergen’s Sandown masterclass came amid a hit-streak of six race victories to begin the season on the way to the 2021 Repco Supercars Championship title.