Shane Van Gisbergen has finished third on his virtual RallyCross debut in the second round of the World Rallycross Esports Invitational at Montalegre.
The event was won by French Esports star Quentin Dall’olmo after his brother Killian was given a 20-second penalty for a jump start in the feature race. Consequently, the penalty left top qualifier Quentin with the event win ahead of Junior WRC driver Jon Armstrong.
Van Gisbergen claimed third spot despite several spins and collisions, include coming together with Swedish E-WRC rally driver Mattias Adielson while the pair where taking their sole joker lap.
Adielson and Van Gibsergen trade positions on several occasions across the six-lap race, with the kiwi having to follow his rival across the line. But a post-race penalty for the Swede promoted Van Gisbergen back into the final podium spot.
It rounded off a strong debut for Van Gisbergen who even denied defending WRX champion Timmy Hansen a place in the final event when the kiwi executed a wily move on the 27-year-old during the semi-final.
The event also saw a handful of fellow motorsport names make their virtual dirt-racing debut, including ex-Formula 1 driver Mika Salo and current Formula E points leader Antonio Felix da Costa.
The next World RX Esports Invitational event is slated to take place at the virtual Spa-Francorchamps circuit on May 17.