Whincup rules at the Bend

THE Bend has produced a twist to the Supercars championship race.

Holden’s Shane van Gisbergen has snatched the series lead from Ford’s Scott McLaughlin after pole-sitter Jamie Whincup won yesterday’s 200km race at the maiden Supercars round at Tailem Bend, an hour from Adelaide.

Seven-time series champion Whincup took out The Bend SuperSprint’s 41-lap Sunday finale, more than 11 seconds ahead of van Gisbergen with Holden’s Dave Reynolds third. But Whincup’s teammate van Gisbergen was the big mover on the tough 18-turn 4.95km track, taking the series lead by 19 points after leapfrogging McLaughlin, who finished a distant 10th yesterday.

McLaughlin had a slim 41point advantage before yesterday’s race, which was watched by 17,100 fans, extending overall attendance to 41,250 for the debut three-day round.

Van Gisbergen had already whittled the lead from fellow Kiwi McLaughlin, who started the round with an 89-point advantage, by winning Saturday’s 120km race. McLaughlin was sixth in the opening race.

Van Gisbergen had won four of the past five races on the Supercars calendar.

Defending series champion Whincup claimed his fourth win of the year, and 112th of his career, to remain at third in the championship. His last win was in Townsville in early July.