SHANE van Gisbergen continued his record-breaking form with the reigning Supercars champion smashing the Barbagallo lap record to send an ominous warning to his rivals.
Vying to become a back-to-back series champion in an incredibly tight season, van Gisbergen overcame a challenge from Red Bull Racing Australia’s newest rivals DJR/Team Penske to win practice.
On an action packed opening day of the Perth Super Sprint, Van Gisbergen also saw off a challenge from teammate Jamie Whincup.
The Kiwi clocked a record practice time of 54.77 to shade new force Fabian Coulthard in his flying Ford.
Van Gisbergen sent a warning to the field following the blitz when he declared he had a disappointing day.
“It was a tough day for us always is around here,” he said.
“You are trying to feel changes and there is just zero grip. You have to judge where the grip is so it’s pretty tough as a driver but probably tougher for the engineers because there’s not much feedback we can give them because we just can’t feel anything.’’
Shane van Gisbergen of Red Bull Holden Racing Team was fastest during practice for the Perth SuperSprint.Source:AAP
The defending champion also lamented his year so far, even though he is sitting second on the championship ladder after beginning the year with an Adelaide blitz.
“I’m pretty frustrated with my year so far,” van Gisbergen said.
“Apart from Adelaide the other rounds have been pretty crazy. Stupid penalties at Phillip Island and the crazy race at Tassie which was nobody’s fault.
“I’m pretty frustrated and feel disappointed but we are second so it’s not all bad but it shows we have high standards from last year.
“We just have to put it together and be consistent again because that was our strength in the championship last year.”
First up Garth Tander surprised the heavyweights by topping the time sheets with a last minute dash around Barbagallo.
In his best result since switching back to Garry Rogers Motorsport after his stellar stint with Walkinshaw, the veteran pounced late to edge out Jamie Whincup in a surprise start to the Perth Supersprint.
Update on Dunlop’s tyre drama3:41
Supercars: Dunlop’s Kevin Fitzsimons gives an update on their investigation into a solution to the tyre problems encountered at Phillip Island.
The Western Australian home town hero was followed into third by his teammate James Moffat in an encouraging start for Garry Rogers.
The double podium practice one finish came just months after the team was forced to dump the race winning Volvo S60 for a Holden Commodore following a stoush with the Swedish car manufacturer.
“I had a feeling our car would be better here than it was at Phillip Island,’’ Tander said.
“And it was a really productive session. I don’t think the lap was particularly great but we know others were running the green tyre so that is encouraging.’’
The session also saw Scott McLaughlin come under fire with Nick Percat confronting the DJR/Team Penske hot-shot over a blocking incident.
“I think Nick and Scott Pye have some sort of issue,’’ McLaughlin said.
“I was just on a race run and trying to do my own thing. I was trying not to stuff too many people up but I also wanted to get a good program for myself. But it was pretty animate from their side. I am pretty cruisy and it is what it is.’’
Originally published as Supercars champ puts rivals on notice
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