Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Young New Zealand driver Shane van Gisbergen will be a strong force in this year's V8 Supercar Championship Series, after he posted the fastest lap at the official pre-season test at Queensland Raceway.

The 20-year-old SP Tools Racing driver is the youngest in the 2010 field, but proved he's one to watch with the top time of 1:10.74.

Jim Beam Racing's James Courtney made it a Ford one-two for the Queensland-based V8 Supercar teams with the second quickest time.

But while Van Gisbergen was the man to beat today, he says it will mean little when the season-opener at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit gets underway next week.

Van Gisbergen says it was good to get a good result on the track, but anything could happen in Abu Dhabi .