Red Bull Holdens conquered Pukekohe, Whincup is still a leader

November 5, 2017 • Event Reports, Featured • Marijan Malcevic

Shane van Gisbergen and Jamie Whincup brought two victories to the Red Bull Holden Racng Team in the ITM Auckland SuperSprint at the Pukekohe Park Raceway in New Zealand, the penultimate round of the 2017 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.

For the 28-year-old Kiwi in the #97 Holden Commodore it’s the fifth win of the season. For Whincup in the #88 Holden, it’s just the third win of the season but it was enough to take the championship lead after 24 races.

Ahead of season’s finale at the Newcastle Street Circuit on November 25-26, Whincup leads with 2850 points on his account, 30 more then DJR Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin. Fabian Coulthard is 176 points behind Whincup, followed by Chaz Mostert (-264) and Shane van Gisbergen (-276).

Fabian Coulthard Auckland

The first race at Pukekohe Park Raceway, the Race 23 of the championship, was marked by spectacural rollover crash of championship contender Fabian Coulthard. Late in a race, he collided with another championship contender Chaz Mostert, who went into barrier while Coulthard’s Ford rolled over. A drama was triggered by Mosterts bump on David Reynolds.

Shane van Gisbergen won a race ahead of Mark Winterbottom and Scott McLaughlin, with Jamie Whincup in the fourth place.

In the second race on Sunday, Jamie Whincup started from pole and won the race ahead of Scott McLaughlin and Cameron Waters. Securing the most points over the weekend, Whincup has won the Jason Richards Trophy. Craig Lowndes progressed from 12th on the grid to P4, ahead of Fabian Coulthard, Garth Tander, Jason Bright and Chaz Mostert.

Saturday’s winner Shane van Gisbergen ruined his race when nailing the back of Tim Slade’s Holden at pit entry on lap 16. Van Gisbergen’s car had been rapaired and he returned to score some points in 24th place.