Van Gisbergen drew on Murphy, Richards in charge

Shane van Gisbergen says he drew on local inspiration to take home a stunning Pukekohe win.

Van Gisbergen overhauled Cam Waters in a battle for the ages to win Sunday’s finale.

The points leader’s 18th win of the season came from eighth on the grid.

The win helped an emotional van Gisbergen secure the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy for a third time.

Waters made a number of errors prior to being overtaken by his rival.

The weight of home support was in the #97’s corner, and he delivered in style.

Van Gisbergen’s winning move was completed in front of the fans on the hill.

It was an overtake akin to the one he made on Scott McLaughlin in 2018.

Greg Murphy conducted the PIRTEK Victory Lane interviews, much to the delight of the crowd.

Speaking to Murphy, van Gisbergen pinpointed the three key pillars to his motivation.

"A bit of you, a bit of JR, a bit of the crowd," an emotional van Gisbergen told Greg Murphy when asked where he drew his inspiration.

"Unbelievable. From eighth, I didn't think we could do that.

"Things were playing out, the car was amazing.

"I didn't give up, I just kept throwing it at it. Cam had me pretty good, and I couldn't get him.

"Next time, I wasn't lifting.”

Van Gisbergen will carry an extended championship lead over Waters to the Repco Bathurst 1000.

There, McLaughlin’s record - which was equalled on Sunday - could be overhauled.

Sunday’s battle was the latest in a long line of epic fights between van Gisbergen and Waters.

Waters made it difficult, but van Gisbergen - with four-lap fresher tyres - made his advantage count.

“I didn’t give up,” van Gisbergen said.

“I knew he was going to be the hardest guy to get past.

“He was doing all the right things, but making some mistakes as well.

“I just kept moving around in the mirror… unreal."

The 2022 season will continue at next month's Repco Bathurst 1000.

2022 Jason Richards Memorial Trophy points