Two-time Supercar champion Shane van Gisbergen is aiming to make his FIA World Rally Championship debut at this year’s Rally New Zealand.
Van Gisbergen finished second at the recent Australian Rally Championship’s National Capital Rally in Canberra, driving a Škoda Fabia Rally2 car.
The WRC returns to New Zealand for the first time since 2012, as the 11th round of this year’s championship.
Van Gisbergen has driven in rallies in New Zealand before, taking part in the City of Auckland Rally in 2020, where he finished 15th in a Ford Escort Mk2, winning the Battle of Jacks Ridge a day later.
The Kiwi is now looking to step up into a Rally2 car in the top level of the competition.
“Rally New Zealand is my goal,” said van Gisbergen.
“I’m working on it. Having New Zealand back on the calendar is great news, but everybody wants to do it – so getting a car’s not easy.”
As he drives for Triple Eight in the Supercars championship van Gisbergen may have to be careful what car he gets behind the wheel of.
Before taking part in Rally New Zealand SVG wants to get more rallying experience.
“It would be good to get out and do a couple more rallies,” he said.
“That would help to get used to the pace notes and things like that. I want to keep learning, rallying is a lot of fun – but it takes a lot of work with the co-driver on the recce.
“The dream is to get to Rally New Zealand, but there’s some work to do yet.”
Van Gisbergen was beaten in the Canberra Rally by former champion Harry Bates, though he was fastest on the final two stages of the weekend.
Rally New Zealand will run September 29-October 2.
Main image: Mark Horsburgh