World’s fastest Van Red Bull ace shows he means business on his way to fastest lap
SHANE Van Gisbergen continued his championship charge on the streets of Surfers Paradise yesterday with the Red Bull Racing star blasting the quickest lap on the opening day of the Gold Coast 600.
Following another week of drama for his team with Jamie Whincup failing in a bid to cut points from his championship lead, Van Gisbergen showed he will be the man to beat this weekend.
Van Gisbergen will be vying for his second Surfers Paradise pole today before going out to extend his championship lead.
“It was an ominous performance,’’ five-time championship winner driver Mark Skaife said.
“He did have four fresh tyres but his street form is extraordinary. Again Shane Van Gisbergen does look very ominous and this could be a weekend that sets up his championship.’’
Whincup is the only man that can deny Van Gisbergen his first title with the six-time champion narrowly trailing the Red Bull newcomer in second place.
Whincup was critical of his practice performance yesterday, scoring the fifth quickest time after returning to the track for the first time since a 15-second penalty cost him another Bathurst 1000 title.
“It would have been good to get some tyres on at the end,’’ Whincup said.
“But we didn’t get to them. It is just a real gnarly place here and you have to piece it all together and I wasn’t able to do that to make up the lap time. You have to get it all right here to get that time. That is what it is all about. “I was just hanging on for dear life and waiting to see what happened.’
Whincup admitted to being troubled with his first day Gold Coast 600 hit-out.
“I am a bit frustrated with myself. So I will go home look at some data and have a good sleep before coming back for another crack tomorrow,” Whincup said.
“The car is good. It isn’t perfect but it was the driver that didn’t do a good job today so I am kicking myself.’’
Ford mounted a challenge to the all-conquering Holdens with Chaz Mostert coming home in fourth to give the Falcon fans hope.
“We have been getting there the last couple of rounds,’’ Mostert said. “We have been right behind the leaders.
“Things haven’t gone our way but we are close. Right now the car isn’t quite where I want it to be but it is not far out of the window.”
While Mostert roared, reigning champion Mark Winterbottom again failed on a tough GC 600 start.
The Ford hero – now out of championship contention – limped his way to the 14th fastest time while fellow gun driver Craig Lowndes also struggled. 5. WHINCUP / DUMBRELL (Red Bull Racing) 1:10.9439