6 Mar 2017

Van Gisbergen claims thrilling win

8:52 am on 6 March 2017

Defending Australia Supercars Champion Shane Van Gisbergen capped off a dominant weekend in Adelaide by claiming a dramatic win in the final race.

New Zealand driver Shane van Gisbergen.

New Zealand driver Shane van Gisbergen. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

It was another memorable Clipsal 500, with rising star and fellow New Zealander Scott McLaughlin holding the lead until the 75th lap of 78.

With Van Gisbergen closing in over the final laps, McLaughlin locked his brakes, allowing Van Gisbergen to pass and claim his second Clipsal 500 title.

"Just as I got to him, I saw his big moment," Van Gisbergen said.

The 28-year old said there was still plenty of improvement to make to his car following the opening round of racing.

"We had a pretty average test - we still had vibrations this week, but the car was fast."

Van Gisbergen started slowly from his pole position in today's race and was made to work for his win in front of McLaughlin and Chaz Mostert who finished second and third in today's race respectively.

McLaughlin didn't hide his emotions after going within three laps of a dream debut with his new Shell V-Power Racing Team.

"I thought today could've been the day we got our first win, but there's a lot of promise there," McLaughlin said.

"I'm feeling really confident, but I'm just gutted - you lead a whole race and then you lose it."

It marked a strong start for the New Zealand trio in the 2017 Championship with van Gisbergen's double victory leaving him at the top of the standings.

Fabian Coulthard lies second after a second and a fifth, and McLaughlin is seventh for his new DJR Team Penske operation.

Defending Clipsal 500 champion and South Australian local Nick Percat was forced to retire early in the race due to mechanical problems, while the first female full-time driver in the Supercars era, Simona De Silvestro finished 23rd.

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