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.
Alex Davison and Tim Slade got their first taste of the Bahrain International Circuit today [Thursday] when the V8 Supercars took to the track for practice on the new 5.41km layout. Davison posted an impressive lap time on his BIC debut ending the day 8th fastest while Slade was 13th. SP Tools Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen was quickest of the SBR cars finishing 4th fastest for the day in the combined lap times after a one year hiatus from the world class circuit.
Alex comes from a true motor racing family. His father Richard and late grandfather Lex Davison have seen much success in open wheel categories. Alex's motor racing career began when he served his driver apprenticeship racing karts where he won the Australian Karting Championship in 1995. 2009 will see Alex complete against his younger brother, Will as he takes to the track in the new #4 IRWIN Racing Falcon.
SHANE VAN GISBERGEN
Shane spent his formative years racing ATVs on natural terrain motocross tracks and a Quarter Midget on speedway ovals before a brief but typically successful dalliance with karts. Since then he has been on a fast track to major Australasian success. In 2009, driving the SBR #9 SP Tools Racing Falcon, Shane has already shown signs that have marked him as a future star of V8 Supercars.
