KEY POINTS:
Kiwi wonderkid Shane Van Gisbergen made a big impression in the three short years he raced cars here.
But if his debut performance in the Team Kiwi Racing Ford Falcon at the eighth round of Australia's V8 Supercar Championship at Sydney's Oran Park two weekends ago is anything to go by the 18-year-old from Manukau City is going to make an even bigger splash across the Tasman.
The talented teen, who cut a swathe through the local motor racing scene after winning the Speedsport Scholarship in 2004, set the 15th quickest lap time in practice on Friday (ahead of Craig Lowndes, Mark Winterbottom and Russell Ingall) then worked his way forward in all three races over the weekend, despite unseasonably cool weather and constantly changing track conditions.
In the first race, he finished 20th (from 29th place on the grid), in the second a weekend-best 12th (from 20th) and, in the third, he ended up 23rd after running as high as 12th, placing him 24th overall for the round.
Not bad for a rookie having his first ever race in a "tin-top".
That's right. Before he donned his new driving suit and helmet at Oran Park on August 17, Van Gisbergen had only raced single-seaters and karts; and before that quarter midgets and ATV off-roaders.
True, he had completed several test days in a Stone Brothers Racing Ford Falcon in Australia, but never a race.
The usually hard-bitten specialist press across the Tasman has heaped lavish praise on him and his debut V8 Supercar performance.
"It's changed the way team owners will look to find their drivers from here on," Motorsport News publisher Chris Lambden quoted one owner as saying after Van Gisbergen's performance. "To slot straight in and come up midfield on day 1 is impressive.
"I reckon a few of our more senior drivers ought to be concerned."
Team Kiwi Racing owner David John was also full of praise for his new charge, who was given the opportunity to drive the Team Kiwi Racing Ford Falcon as part of a two-way deal which saw Stone Brothers Racing take over the supply and running of the Team Kiwi Racing car within weeks of signing Van Gisbergen.
"We were absolutely delighted with his efforts in practice," said John after the weekend.
"The entire weekend was a strong indication that we have a quick and competitive race car and potentially a very exciting young driver."
