Van Gisbergen braced for Le Mans education
Shane van Gisbergen’s immediate focus between Supercars events is a debut in one of motorsport's most prized races.
The Supercars championship leader will make his first 24 Hours of Le Mans appearance next month.
Van Gisbergen has already departed for Europe ahead of the June 11-12 endurance race.
Racing at Le Mans has long been an ambition for van Gisbergen, who recently finished third at the Bathurst 12 Hour.
He was locked in for the 2020 event, but that opportunity was taken away from him due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fast forward to 2022, and van Gisbergen is readying to steer a Riley Motorsports Ferrari 488 GTE Evo.
Speaking after Winton, van Gisbergen was champing at the bit to finally tick another big motorsport box.
"It’s definitely something I wanted to tick off and experience," said van Gisbergen, who extended his points lead at Winton last weekend.
"I don’t even care how I go, I just want to be there.
"It’s a race I watch on TV every year.
"Normally it conflicts, which is why I haven’t been able to do the race.
"Now that we don’t have a date conflict, it’s good to get over there."
Van Gisbergen finished third at the Bathurst 12 Hour
The New Zealander will share the Ferrari with Sam Bird and Felipe Fraga.
The Riley Ferrari is part of a seven-car LMGTE Pro field which features two other Ferraris, two Porsches and two Corvettes.
The Le Mans appearance is another extra-curricular drive for van Gisbergen outside of his Supercars commitments.
Along with his 12 Hour podium, he recently scored a podium on his Australian Rally Championship debut.
The likes of countryman Brendon Hartley and Australian ace Ryan Briscoe will line up in the Hypercar field.
Hartley won the 2017 race for Porsche, and in 2020 for Toyota.
Briscoe, who has made three Bathurst 1000 starts, will race for Glickenhaus Racing alongside Richard Westbrook and Franck Mailleux.
Van Gisbergen also recently clinched a rally podium
James Allen (LMP2) and Matt Campbell (LMGTE Am) are the other Australians on the grid.
Kiwi racer Nick Cassidy will also race a LMGTE Am Ferrari.
Van Gisbergen’s LMGTE Pro entry won’t challenge for overall honours; rather, that will be fought by the faster Hypercars.
Having led the running at the 12 Hour, van Gisbergen understands he will have to adjust to racing around quicker cars.
Regardless, even reaching La Sarthe is a major achievement, with his motorsport education to be taken to a new level in one of the most prestigious races on the planet.
"It’s an awesome opportunity and something I’m pretty thankful for," van Gisbergen said.
"I’ve got two good teammates in Sam Bird and Felipe Fraga.
"I can’t wait to experience it; I’ve never driven a GTE car, never driven a Ferrari, never been to Le Mans.
"For sure, I’ll study as much as I can, there’s a lot of onboards and stuff.
"The hardest thing is going to be [racing around] the prototypes, looking out the back window more than the front.
"When we do the 12 Hour, we’re the fastest car looking out the front."
The 90th 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place on June 11-12.
Van Gisbergen will carry his Supercars points lead to the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown a week later.
The 2022 season will resume in Darwin next month. Purchase your tickets now.
