Kiwi driver in control ‘ The Giz’ is on track to grab Aussie title

Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen is poised to become just the third New Zealander and first since Jim Richards a quarter of a century ago to lift the biggest prize in Australian Supercars motor racing.

The South Aucklander, nicknamed ‘‘ The Giz’’, yesterday posted the fastest time in practice ahead of the final round of the championship on the streets of Homebush in Sydney.

The Red Bull Racing star set a time of 1m 27.07s, which was 0.0211s quicker than Tim Slade.

Jamie Whincup was third fastest in the second Red Bull Holden.

“There’s still a bit to work to do as we’re not quite happy with car. Parts of the track we’re good on and parts we’re not,” said van Gisbergen.

“The first part of the lap we’re really good on but I’m nowhere in the last sector. It’s a compromise around here with the kerbs and slower corners. It’s exciting to drive on the soft tyre [ first time at this event] and we’re a second a lap faster than last year.

“The grip is pretty awesome. I like the place but I’m not too sure why, but I’ve always been quite good here.”

It was a frustrating start to Mark Winterbottom’s final weekend with the No 1 car.

The reigning champion’s Ford suffered an electrical issue inside the first few minutes of the session and got limited time on track.

Van Gisbergen’s fellow Kiwi Scott McLaughlin was sixth fastest in practice two after topping the times in the first session earlier yesterday.

With a 191 championship point lead, the New Zealander needs a top five finish or to finish within five places of Whincup in today’s race to secure his maiden title.

He has won the Bathurst 12 Hour title and the European GT championship this year and is all but certain of Gis gets to gist of matter Cool, calm and collecting titles Shane van Gisbergen ( Holden) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3089 points Jamie Whincup ( Holden) . . . . 2898 Craig Lowndes ( Holden) . . . . 2596 Scott McLaughlin ( Volvo) . . . 2575 Will Davison ( Holden) . . . . . . . . 2403 Mark Winterbottom ( Ford) . . 2384 Chaz Mostert ( Ford) . . . . . . . . . 2235 Michael Caruso ( Nissan) . . . . . 2110 Tim Slade ( Holden) . . . . . . . . . . 2083 Garth Tander ( Holden) . . . . . . 1976 Jim Richards ( 1985 BMW, 1987 BMW, 1990 Nissan, 1991 Nissan). Robbie Francevic ( 1986 Volvo). completing the trifecta this weekend barring a disaster.

Incredibly, van Gisbergen actually made a mistake, locking his tyres late, during his flying lap, which would have cost him a little time. It still proved to be fast enough for top spot and was fastest time recorded in practice in the eight- year history of the event at Homebush.

Qualifying will be at 2.15pm ( NZT) today.

Super Black Racing will have some work to do overnight after Kiwi Chris Pither jumped over a curb and crashed into a wall, prompting a red flag. He wasn’t able to get going again and the team, in what will likely be their final ever round in Supercars, will have a busy night.

“I struggled with the balance — we have been for the last few rounds,” Pither said. “I find it quite nervous and unpredictable to drive, particularly off the bumps.

“It was different that time than it had been the previous lap for whatever reason.”

The only Kiwi outfit in the championship i s without a Racing Entitlements Contract next season and i s unlikely to find one, which would bring an end to their two- year run in the sport.

It was confirmed yesterday that Tim Blanchard has bought the REC that had previously been owned by Super Black Racing and will use it under the Brad Jones Racing stable next year.

“I have nothing locked it at the moment, which is really disappointing,” Pither said of 2017.

“Looking back on the year, I am pretty happy to be honest.

“Looking to the future, I would love to be in car for the next year or two — it is a tough category and you really need the seat time to build the confidence and the consistency will come with that.

“I really hope I can get out there in the next year or two and fully reach my potential.”

Michael Caruso did the same thing as Pither at the same corner and brought out a second red flag moments after the re- start.

It was also the corner that caught out veteran driver Craig Lowndes in the first practice session, which saw him make a delayed start to the second session as his team worked on the damage.

This weekend is the final time the Supercars will run around the Sydney Olympic complex with the series finale moving to Newcastle from 2017.