Mixed fortunes for Kiwi driving duo
Shane van Gisbergen damaged his car doing a burnout after winning yesterday’s race at the Auckland SuperSprint, but doesn’t care.
The New Zealand driver won an eventful race at the Pukekohe circuit, with Mark Winterbottom second and Scott McLaughlin third.
But the race will be remembered as much for Fabian Coulthard’s car being flipped upside down after David Reynolds clipped him from behind, an incident which was instigated by Chaz Mostert.
It has left Coulthard with just a slim chance of retaining his title and it’s effectively become a two-horse race between McLaughlin and Whincup, with the Australian holding an 18-point lead.
But for van Gisbergen, who looks unlikely to retain his title, this was all about enjoying a great win on New Zealand soil and he decided to give it everything with a spectacular burnout, which was loved by the large crowd.
‘‘It’s Kiwis, they’re so passionate,’’ van Gisbergen said. ‘‘It doesn’t matter who it is, just as long as there’s a Kiwi winning they’re stoked.
‘‘It’s pretty awesome to feel that emotion and on the cool down lap I couldn’t remember the last time I’d won, so I thought stuff it, I’m going to do a burnout.
‘‘Unfortunately I did a bit of damage, the guard is wrecked and the motor got a little hot, but I did a proper job, so I’m happy.’’
On lap 58 drama occurred when Mostert bumped Reynolds off the track. He missed a gear trying to get going again, which caused a number of cars to be boxed in together.
Reynolds swerved back onto the track and hit Coulthard, sending him into a wall upside down.
Coulthard was unharmed, although his mechanics faced a long night repairing car No 12.
‘‘Me being a racer, I saw easy passing opportunities and went for it,’’ Coulthard said.
‘‘Then I got a tag from Dave behind the right rear wheel, which sent me to the grass and I was a passenger from then on.
‘‘You don’t know when it’s going to impact, you know there’s a wall coming,’’ he added. ‘‘So I braced myself and was along for the ride, there wasn’t a hell of a lot I could have done.’’