Red Bull Racing Gives SVG Wings.

Shane van Gisbergen, McLaren 650S, Bathurst 12 Hr. (C)

    Many of you will no doubt be aware of how much we love to speculate. However, we're going to stick our neck out and make a prediction. Bold, irresponsible, unsubstantiated you may ask. After all, what do we know? All valid, worthy comments.
    We've just returned from Australian motorsport's amazing season opening Bathurst 12 Hour for GT-3 spec cars at the majestic, yet daunting Mt Panorama. Top end exotic marques like Ferrari, Audi, Mercedes, Porsche and McLaren blasting around Mt Panorama in a once around the clock marathon of speed, strategy and endurance. 
    One of the drivers that thoroughly impressed us was V8 Supercar ace, Shane van Gisbergen. Part of the winning team in the gorgeous McLaren 650S, SVG set a few benchmarks over the Bathurst weekend. Bear in mind the GT-3 spec cars improve by at least 1 sec.a lap each year, SVG achieved a record 2.01.2 to claim pole, and a race lap record of 2.01.5. How long before the GT-3's bust the 2 minute mark? Sure the McLaren was the package to have, but it wasn't the only McLaren on circuit. Here's a kid at just 26 dwarfing the best endurance drivers Europe and Japan has to offer, fellow V8 Supercar drivers, as well as a host of ex-F1 drivers. 
    Whether it's GT racing, drifting, or dragging an opportune result out of a V8 Supercar, SVG seems to excel. Hardly surprising when his pedigree includes racing ATV's on Moto X tracks, Quarter Midgets on oval speedways, karting and winning the 2006 NZ Formula Ford Championship. His obvious car control in a number of disciplines earned him a V8 Supercar debut at just 17. In recent years, SVG has dovetailed his V8 Supercar career with GT endurance racing, including entering the prestigious Daytona 24 Hour, whilst making guest appearances in the Australian Drifting Series. A true racing professional.
    Now for 2016 he's joined the front running Red Bull Racing team for the forthcoming V8 Supercar season. A top drive at last. Will SVG be able to harry his team mates, the illustrious Craig Lowndes and 6-time champ Jamie Whincup? Both Lowndes and Whincup must be hungry for success after being beaten by PRA's Mark Winterbottom in 2015.
    So, to throw the cat amongst the pidgeons, our prediction is this. Shane van Gisbergen will win the 2016 V8 Supercar championship. We'll find out come November. Ciao....  
    

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