Title rivals react to 'horrible' SVG situation

Supercars heavyweights have weighed in on series leader Shane van Gisbergen’s chances of racing at Sandown following the Kiwi’s collarbone injury.

The key storyline ahead of the Penrite Oil Sandown SuperSprint is whether the Red Bull Ampol Racing driver will be fit to race, with van Gisbergen undergoing surgery following a mountain bike accident on March 6.

The 31-year-old had just two weeks from surgery to prepare for this weekend’s event, with van Gisbergen due to head out for Practice 1 on Saturday morning.

His rivals will be keeping a close eye on how the Red Bull ace holds up, with James Courtney raising concerns about how the 2016 champion will manage his pain.

“I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t drive,” Courtney told Supercars.com.

“I think it’s his left arm they said so changing and it’s quite bumpy here, through the first part of the lap.”

“I think he will go out for the first one and go ‘oh yeah, it’s not too bad’ and continue.”

It’s a sentiment shared by fellow Ford driver Will Davison, who added: “It might give him a bit of discomfort.

“But it’s either going to be I can or I can’t do it, I don’t think there is too much grey.”

WATCH: SVG TIGHT-LIPPED ON INJURY AHEAD OF P1

On Wednesday, van Gisbergen revealed an X-ray of the plate inserted into his left shoulder.

He also underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy last week to help speed up the healing process.

Chaz Mostert, who is 33 points behind van Gisbergen in the championship, believes his Holden rival won’t let the injury stop him from continuing his title charge.

“He’ll still race,” Mostert told Supercars.com.

"100 per cent.”

Tickford Racing’s Cameron Waters, who is currently 117 points adrift from van Gisbergen, shared a similar sentiment.

“It’s horrible what happened with Shane, it’s so hard to put yourself in his shoes,” Waters told Supercars.com.

“You don’t know how bad his injuries are and how much pain he is in.

“He’s a tough dude... he’ll give it crack.

“From my point of view, I want Shane out there, and I want to race him and battle him every race we go to every year.“

The Repco Supercars Championship field will return to Victoria this weekend at the Penrite Oil Sandown SuperSprint. Tickets are on sale now.

The event will be broadcast live on Foxtel and will be streamed on Kayo. Check out the full weekend schedule here.