Kiwi Supercars driver Shane van Gisbergen will begin his preparation for Rally New Zealand next weekend at the Far North Rally in the Bay of Islands on July 2.
This won’t be SVG’s first gravel experience with him finishing second place overall earlier this year at the National Capital Rally in Australia in the Race Torque Skoda Fabia R5 which he will also use in this weekend’s rally.
Back in 2020, the well-versed kiwi driver took on rallying duties in his father’s Ford Escort during the City of Aucland Rally and won the Battle of Jacks Ridge rally the following day.
The Far North Rally will be valuable practice for Van Gisbergen’s WRC debut at the Repco Rally New Zealand later on this year in September.
Van Gisbergen expressed his excitement saying, “I loved the Auckland Rally a couple of years ago and the chance to shakedown this car and get more seat time before Repco Rally NZ is too good to turn down.”
“The Skoda is due in New Zealand any minute now and, although we have limited preparation time, I’m ready to go and excited about this opportunity to increase my gravel experience. I have heard the heavily cambered roads are some of the best in the country. So yes, this will be exciting.”
If you can’t catch SVG this weekend at the Far North Rally on July 2, he will next hit the gravel during Repco Rally New Zealand between September 29 and October 2, 2022.