Van Gisbergen seals debut WRC2 podium
Shane van Gisbergen has secured a class podium on his World Rally Championship debut.
The Supercars series leader clinched third in the WRC2 class after four stages on Sunday.
Van Gisbergen’s WRC debut featured a number of scares, notably a spin on Friday and puncture on Saturday.
However, he kept his nose clean in the final leg to finish third in class, and ninth overall.
Van Gisbergen finalised the result in the Wolf Power Stage finale.
Ninth in the overall classification ensures van Gisbergen also scored full WRC points.
Toyota young gun Kalle Rovanperä won the rally and with it, a maiden WRC championship.
The 22-year-old sealed the title with two rallies remaining, and became the youngest ever WRC champion.
Speaking after the Power Stage, an elated van Gisbergen said he was “stoked”.
“It’s fun,” the 33-year-old beamed.
“I’m driving a rally car in the WRC - that’s pretty cool.
“We had a great time and I’m living my dream.
“To get a podium, I’m stoked. I’m having a ball."
The result is the latest in a long line of extra-curricular achievements outside of Supercars.
This year alone, the Kiwi has Australian Rally Championship and Bathurst 12 Hour podiums to his name.
He also made his Le Mans debut and finished fifth in class.
The WRC2 category was taken out by countryman Hayden Paddon, who was also sixth overall.
Polish driver Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished second in WRC2, and eighth overall.
Australian rally star Harry Bates finished an impressive 10th overall.
Van Gisbergen will return to Australia to prepare for next weekend's Repco Bathurst 1000.
The Red Bull Ampol Racing driver will again race with Garth Tander, with the duo looking to add to their 2020 victory.
Van Gisbergen can also mathematically seal a third Supercars drivers’ title in Bathurst.
Cars will hit the track at Mount Panorama for Practice 1 on Thursday October 6.
Tickets for the Repco Bathurst 1000 are available on Supercars.com and Ticketek.
