Van Gisbergen impresses in first WRC hit-outs

Shane van Gisbergen has enjoyed an impressive first day of his World Rally Championship debut.

Van Gisbergen is competing in Repco Rally New Zealand in the WRC2 class aboard a Škoda Fabia.

It’s the first WRC event in New Zealand since 2012.

Rallying is in van Gisbergen’s blood, with father Robert a long-time competitor.

The Supercars points leader was 13th in the 3.54km Inland Road warm-up on Thursday.

Later, van Gisbergen clocked the 11th fastest time in Thursday night’s super special stage.

“It is pretty special to be in the line-up with these guys, and all the WRC1 cars as well,” he said.

"It is pretty surreal. I have to focus on the driving. I still have a lot to learn.

"Tomorrow is going to take me a long time to settle in and get the speed up.

Van Gisbergen during the morning warm-up

"I am here to have some fun and make it to the end.

"Rally is awesome. I love driving rally cars and so cool to be here.

“I am not trying to rush it, just learn as I go and learn from the mistakes.

“Seeing how stoked Dad is to be here and how involved he is in our little team, and he’s got his Escort out there on Sunday at Jacks Ridge.

“The New Zealand roads are epic so it would be cool to do a bit more of the New Zealand Championship next year."

The morning warm-up was paced by WRC championship leader Kalle Rovanperä.

His chief title rival, Ott Tänak, edged Hyundai teammates Thierry Neuville and Oliver Solberg in the evening special stage.

The 1.78km opening stage, at Pukekawa Auckland Domain, saw drivers charge past the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Van Gisbergen’s countryman Hayden Paddon went first and would pace the WRC2 category, and was 10th overall.

Just 1.8s behind was Gisbergen, who recorded a 1:54.2s to be second in WRC2.

Tänak aced the special stage with a winning time of 1:45.8s.

Toyota ace Rovanperä made a mistake on the Repco donut section and was only sixth.

Van Gisbergen’s debut comes after he impressed in dual rally starts in New Zealand earlier this year.

The 72-time Supercars race winner scored a podium on his Australian Rally Championship debut in Canberra in April.

Gravel action will feature for the rest of the weekend, with Friday’s action headlined by six stages through the Waikato region.

Friday’s action includes the famous Whaanga Coast Road, with stages ranging from 18.53km up to 31.48km.

Van Gisbergen will return to Australia after the weekend for next week’s Repco Bathurst 1000.

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.