From the rallying to endurance racing, Shane van Gisbergen has taken on all manner of racing disciplines this year and it looks like he’s set on doing the same in 2023.
He ended the 2022 Supercars season on a high in Adelaide earlier on in December by collecting his third championship trophy after earning the needed points in the round prior.
It seemed like the Kiwi couldn’t be stopped this year having taken on 24 racing commitments and he’s yet to finish just yet.
Van Gisbergen will get behind the wheel of a sprint car at Baypark Speedway on December 28 after the event was postponed earlier this month.
As for next year, the 33-year-old has his sights set on a return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well making a possible appearance in Nascar.
The Kiwi has been in talks with TrackHouse Racing about driving in the Nascar Cup Series as part of the team’s Project91 initiative which aims to draw more high profile drivers into the sport.
Earlier this year, Formula 1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen did just that at Watkins Glen.
However, Van Gisbergen would have to find find spare time outside of the Supercars schedule to take part.
He also wants to have a crack at the Nürburgring 24 Hour but that event clashes with the Tasmania Supercars round in mid May.
The 2023 Supercars Championship kicks off with a shakedown of the Gen3 cars at Queensland Raceway on January 30 before another test in Ipswich on February 9.
Between the two test days is the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour on February 3 to 5 which van Gisbergen plans to take part in but has yet to fully commit.
Another test day is planned for February 22 at Sydney Motorsport Park before the Supercars season gets underway at Newcastle on March 10 to 12.
“I’ve got to keep pushing — the change excites me,” van Gisbergen said to Supercars.
“It was a great year in 2021 but this year we had so much team change, that motivated me.
“Next year is the cars and so on. There’s always something evolving in our sport.
“Those challenges keep it fresh for us.”
There has been speculation about the New Zealander’s future in Supercars following his comments about how well the new Gen3 cars perform.
Although time will tell with regard to that matter, the new year is looking busy but bright for van Gisbergen.
Main image: Shane van Gisbergen Facebook
