Jim, Scott, Shane: van Gisbergen humbled to join Kiwi greats
Champion-elect Shane van Gisbergen was humbled to join the small list of New Zealand drivers to be multiple drivers' champions.
Van Gisbergen clinched his second drivers' championship after the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight finale was abandoned on Sunday.
The Red Bull Ampol Racing driver will take an unassailable 349-point lead over teammate Jamie Whincup to the Repco Bathurst 1000.
Van Gisbergen, who won his first championship in 2016, has won 14 races this season.
His 14th win came on Saturday night in dramatic circumstances, and it all but ensured the title was his.
It won't become official until the chequered flag in Bathurst, but for now, van Gisbergen's place in history is assured.
Van Gisbergen became the 14th driver in ATCC/Supercars history to win two or more titles.
Only two Kiwis had done it before this season; Jim Richards and Scott McLaughlin.
"It's pretty cool," said van Gisbergen when asked about his Kiwi counterparts.
"Jimmy's obviously a hero to most Kiwi drivers, and then obviously Scotty, getting to race him and being a mate, winning the last few.
Richards in 1991 Pic: AN1 Images
"It's cool to add my name to that list, but just to win it again, it's a cool thing.
"I remember, it seems a while ago now, 2016, it feels just like the first one.
"It's a pretty cool feeling."
Richards won his first title in 1985, some four years before van Gisbergen was born. The eventual seven-time Bathurst winner added titles in 1987, 1990 and 1991.
McLaughlin, van Gisbergen's chief rival in the previous decade, won 48 races and three straight championships with DJR Team Penske between 2018 and 2020.
Van Gisbergen and McLaughlin famously jousted for 2018 honours, with McLaughlin victorious after a season-long battle.
McLaughlin in 2019
Van Gisbergen was the man to beat in 2021 in IndyCar-bound McLaughlin's absence, and led the championship from the first race at Mount Panorama in February,
At the same venue on December 5, van Gisbergen will officially become the 2021 Repco Supercars Championship winner.
For now, however, the 32-year-old was happy to let his achievement sink in before he prepares for his Bathurst 1000 defence.
"It's still pretty fresh, but it's been an awesome year," he said.
"Obviously some challenges and some ups and downs.
Van Gisbergen won his first title in 2016
"We came here with a plan with [race engineer David] Cauchi and the #97 guys, and pretty much executed every race.
"The car's been fantastic and the team's been fantastic. I'm just super stoked."
The 2021 Repco Supercars Championship and Dunlop Series seasons will conclude at the Repco Bathurst 1000.
Every session of the event will be broadcast live on Foxtel (Fox Sports 506) and streamed on Kayo.
The Seven Network will provide live free to air coverage of the event. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
