Fujitsu Racing’s Scott McLaughlin will have to wait to make his V8 Supercar debut as a result of not having the appropriate Competition Racing Licence for next weekend’s Adelaide, Clipsal 500 series opener. McLaughlin, who enjoyed a successful second test day at Queensland Raceway on Thursday with Stone Brothers Racing, will be replaced for the Clipsal 500 Fujitsu Series opener by two-time New Zealand V8 Champion, John McIntyre.

SP Tools Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen has scored his second podium in the Middle East, finishing today’s [Saturday] 200km race at the Bahrain International Circuit in third place. After qualifying 14th for the 37 lap race the youngest driver in the series not only finished in the top three but also set a new lap record, posting the races fastest time of 2:06.9097on lap 25 with a full tank of fuel.

Stone Brothers Racing were unable to convert a front row start into a podium today when extreme tyre wear caused all three cars to experience fading pace in the race. As expected tyres played a major part on the abrasive track surface with lap times dropping off over 4 seconds towards the end of the 37 laps.

SP Tools Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen will start this afternoon’s 200km race in Bahrain from the front row after qualifying second fastest in the Top Ten Shootout. Van Gisbergen put in a sensational lap that was only outdone by reigning V8 Supercar Champion, Jamie Whincup on the session’s final lap.