Shane van Gisbergen has pulled the pin on his summer of speedway plans.
The reigning Bathurst 1000 victor took to social media today to confirm the news, which sees him withdraw from the International Midget Grand Slam Series.
He was initially set to race in the United Truck Parts Midget at a handful of dirt events this year in what would have been his first return to speedway since the mid-2000s.
“Unfortunately we’ve had to put the brakes on speedway for this year,” said van Gisbergen.
“After initially getting the ok to compete in some races over summer the big boss called through with the word that he would rather not have me racing in the midget.
“It’s a hard one as I had so much fun on the weekend but I understand as well the risk that’s involved and what’s at stake so, I respect that call.
“Thanks so much to United Truck Parts and Shaun Insley Racing for giving me a go, I loved being back on the dirt.”
Since the end of the 2020 Supercars championship, van Gisbergen has competed in several high-profile races in New Zealand.
Namely, he made his rallying debut in the City of Auckland Rally where he dominated his class driving a Ford Escort RS1800 owned by his father, Robert.
The next day then saw the Red Bull Racing driver take a surprise win in the Battle of Jack’s Ridge in an AP4 Mitsubishi Mirage.
He then made his first and sole speedway appearance at Baypark in Mount Manganui last week where he finished ninth in his class.
Van Gisbergen is set to return to Australia in time for the opening round of the 2021 Supercars Championship which is understood to be at Mount Panorama in February.