SUPERCARS champion Shane van Gisbergen will continue his foray into rallying with a partial campaign in the 2023 New Zealand Rally Championship.
Van Gisbergen announced this morning he will contest the four North Island rounds on the calendar, starting with Rally Whangarei on May 12-14.
He’ll miss the two South Island events; the Rally Otago season opener this weekend and the Southern Canterbury Rally in June, both of which will be entered by car owner Dylan Turner.
Those rounds clash with Van Gisbergen’s Supercars commitments at Albert Park and Hidden Valley respectively.
Van Gisbergen will have veteran co-driver Glen Weston by his side once more, with the duo set to tackle the New Zealand gravel roads aboard an Audi S1 AP4.
Beyond Whangarei, van Gisbergen/Weston will contest the Hawkes Bay Rally in July, Rally Coromandel in September and Rally Bay of Plenty in October.
“A massive thanks to Dylan – he planned on having an easier year this year so to let us share his car for a few rounds is pretty exciting,” said van Gisbergen.
“Getting to work with him and also Choice Performance Ralliart team again, who I worked with before at Jack’s Ridge, will be awesome.
“The car looks really cool – I am looking forward to it.
“We have some great supporters this year – the main ones being Giltrap Group, LJ Hooker, United Truck Parts, Ward Demolition, Ellerslie Jewellers, Pirelli and then Baron Leather Goods supporting as well – they supported Dad when he was rallying his Escort and so to be on my rally car this year is amazing.
“Looking forward to seeing how Dylan goes this weekend at Otago – I will be watching the timing as much as I can in Melbourne.
“I look forward to getting back together with Glen and keeping on learning and getting better.”
Van Gisbergen last year finished second on Australian Rally Championship debut, before impressing in the World Rally Championship’s visit to New Zealand.
The 33-year-old placed third in the WRC2 class and picked up top-tier points with outright ninth.
He’ll be back behind the wheel of his #97 Red Bull Ampol Camaro this week as Supercars supports the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.
