Shane Van Gisbergen Confirmed At Tekno Autosports

V8Supercar star Shane Van Gisbergen has ended media and online speculation and tonightconfirmed he will return to the sport in 2013.

VanGisbergen has signed to drive alongside Jonathon Webb at the Gold Coast-based TeknoAutosports, the team fielding two new Holden Commodores – Van Gisbergen’s #97Commodore backed by V.I.P. Petfoods.

VanGisbergen’s decision comes eight weeks after he sensationally quit the sportfor personal reasons, the 23 year old re-thinking his future while holidayingin his native New Zealand.

“Towardsthe end of last year, I started to lose motivation. The environment wasn’tright and I was struggling to remember why I was racing – it wasn’t a greatmindset to be in, so I made the decision to take a break,” Van Gisbergen said.

“I spent six weeks back home and was able to recharge my batteries. I had agood hard think about my career and considered my options.

“Aspart of that, I decided that if I was going to return, I needed a freshchallenge in a new environment, and this is exactly the opportunity I waslooking for.

“TeknoAutosports is one of the sport’s up-and-coming teams, and (team owners)Jonathon and Kobe Webb have built a really strong, tight knit team, with guys like (teammanager) Bruce Jenkins.

“Teknohas great staff, and the equipment and resources that you need to win races.”

VanGisbergen said while he had walked away from V8s he had never permanentlyretired from the sport.

“Iwas never retired, retirement is final and that was never my consideration. Isaid I was leaving the sport for a bit. I’ve considered my options and this isthe next chapter in my career.”

Afterstarring in New Zealand’s Formula Ford and Toyota Racing open wheeler developmentseries, Van Gisbergen burst onto the V8 scene as an 18 year old with Team Kiwi mid-waythrough the 2007 season when, in torrentially wet weather at Sydney’s Oran ParkRaceway, he finished top 15 on debut.

Drivingfor Stone Brothers Racing from 2008, Van Gisbergen’s maiden V8 race win came onhome soil at the Hamilton Street Circuit in 2011, much to the delight of thepatriotic NZ crowd.

VanGisbergen won another race during that year on his way to finishing fourth inthe championship, while he finished sixth in the 2010 and 2012 seasons.

“Weare delighted to welcome Shane Van Gisbergen to our team,” Tekno AutosportsChief Executive Officer Kobe Webb said.

“Jonathonand Shane drove together at Bathurst a few years ago where they forged a strongfriendship.

“Thetwo have always kept in touch and it was only a week or so ago that Shane beganto consider his return to V8s and any serious discussions took place.

“Shaneand Jonathon are an exciting and dynamic driver combination and we are looking tothem helping Tekno Autosports continue its progress towards being a strongerand even more competitive team in V8 Supercars.”

The2013 V8 Supercars Championship kicks off with the Official Pre-Season Test atSydney Motor Sport Park on Saturday, 16 February, with the opening round, theClipsal 500, in Adelaide on 28 February – 3 March).