KEY POINTS:
New Zealand driver Shane Van Gisbergen feels the inaugural V8 Supercar race on the streets of Hamilton presents him with his best opportunity of challenging for a podium finish.
The 18-year-old Aucklander, who debuted last year with Team Kiwi Racing, is making waves in just his second season in the Australian V8 Supercar championship, after Stone Brothers Racing plucked him to replace former champion Russell Ingall.
He finished a creditable fifth in the season opener at Adelaide and was ninth fastest in qualifying at the second round at Eastern Creek, although he could not convert that into more than a handful of points.
Now 13th in the standings, Van Gisbergen said the brand new Hamilton street circuit would help even things out for him.
"Nobody's tested or raced on it before - it's going to be more of an even playing field and could help us out a lot."
At an established track such as Eastern Creek, a young driver like him started on the back foot as the other drivers had been going there for years.
He said Stone Brothers had done a lot of simulation work and he expected to have a great car set-up for the track.
Hamilton had done a great job creating the street circuit and Van Gisbergen disputed Ingall's prediction that the layout would promote a crash-fest.
Ingall said Hamilton, with its long straights and tight corners would be risky because "there'll be a lot of drivers making big lunges under brakes".
"The young guys charging with a head full of steam are going to be a worry, especially with the way they've been driving the last couple of rounds," said the 44-year-old, nicknamed the Enforcer.
Van Gisbergen begged to differ.
"I don't know if that statement's perfectly true," he said.
"This year, he's (Ingall) caused a lot of carnage himself and I don't think any of the young guys have really had much damage.
"There are quite a few passing spots at Hamilton which will promote good racing - the circuit looks good and Hamilton have done a great job there.
"You are always going to see more carnage on a street circuit than at a conventional circuit, but I think everyone will race clean and hard and put on a good show for the fans."
Van Gisbergen said getting a top qualifying position would be vital to his hopes of achieving a career-best finish.
The team that could adjust fastest to the variables of a new track first, such as grip and set-up, would have the advantage.
"This race is special for me being my home race - I'll just try to do the best I can and see how far I can get."
The Hamilton round begins on Friday, with three practice sessions. Qualifying and race one are on Saturday with the meet concluding on Sunday with two more races.
- NZPA
