Supercars championship leader Shane van Gisbergen will be making his second New Zealand Rally Championship appearance this year at Rally Hawke’s Bay this weekend.
The Kiwi driver previously won the Far North Rally in the Bay of Islands earlier on in July with his trusty #97 Skoda Fabia R5, the car which he also placed second with in the Australian National Capital Rally earlier this year.
“It will be good experience for me,” Van Gisbergen said.
“I can drive the car but I’m still very new to rallying so I have a lot to learn still.
“I’m looking forward to it and getting myself ready for a three-day event [Repco Rally New Zealand] in a few months.”
Van Gisbergen is using the rallies to prepare himself for the upcoming Repco Rally New Zealand WRC round later this year in September.
Championship coordinator Blair Bartels is delighted that Van Gisbergen will be competing in the Kennedy Park Resort Rally Hawke’s Bay.
“It is a real coup to have some of Shane’s stature competing in our championship and I am sure there will be many fans in Napier out watching in a few weeks,” Bartels said.
“Shane is one of the biggest names in Kiwi sport and his entry will bring a significant level of wider interest, which is great for our championship.
“Rally fans too will be eager to see how Shane performs – his talent is unquestioned, and we have already seen that he can do things most people can only dream of despite limited rallying experience.”
Kennedy Park Resort Rally Hawke’s Bay will take place on Saturday July 23.