6 Dec 2010

Van Gisbergen third in Sydney

8:34 am on 6 December 2010

It was a case of so close yet so far for young New Zealand driver Shane van Gisbergen as he lost what looked like certain victory in the final race of the V8 Supercar season at Sydney's Homebush Stadium circuit when the SP Tools/SBR Ford Falcon ran low on fuel on the final lap.

After strong pace and a fortuitous pit stop strategy saw him in the lead as the Safety Car came out for the final time the 21-year-old Aucklander knew it was going to be touch and go on fuel.

But with everything to gain and little to lose he put his head down and withstood incredible pressure from eventual race winner Lee Holdsworth to hold the lead for 17-and-a-half of the last 18 laps.

Crossing the start/finish line for the second last time he looked all set to claim his debut win in the category, only to slow dramatically with just four corners to go.

Holdsworth and third placed Steve Richards swept past though van Gisbergen was able to hang on for third and guarantee himself sixth place in the 2010 championship.