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Incredible moment Shane van Gisbergen, V8 Supercars champion, stands on the roof of his car while it is still burning as he celebrates winning his third title.
V8 Supercars championship winner Shane van Gisbergen has made the final year of the iconic Ford and Holden rivalry unforgettable with a burnout to conclude the final race of the 2022 season at the Adelaide 500.
But it wasn’t just any exhaustion: the New Zealand champion spun his Holden ZB Commodore around the trophy on display on the track.
Then, to the delight of the crowd, the three-time champion removed his racing boot and used it to hold down the accelerator as he exited the vehicle and climbed onto the roof to celebrate.
“It wasn’t too planned, I like to improvise,” van Gisbergen said of the incredible display.
“We talked about what I was allowed to do and they told me to do it somewhere around the trophy.
“I was really scared to hit the thing, I left a lot of space.
“I came out and it was still smoking, it was amazing.”
While van Gisbergen won the championship, rising star Broc Feeney took a memorable first Supercars victory to give Holden fans a joyous send-off from the red lion at the Adelaide 500.
Champion driver van Gisbergen climbs into his Commodore to celebrate after getting burned around the V8 Supercars trophy
Feeney, who took Jamie Whincup’s Red Bull Ampol seat this season after the retirement of the immortal Supercars, saved his best drive of the year for last.
“I can’t believe it,” said an emotional Feeney.
“I felt like the win was always so close and to get it in the last race, in front of all these Holden fans, means a lot.”
‘In that race I wanted to show that hopefully next year I can be a contender.
“I had an amazing car…it’s probably the best moment of my life.”
Chaz Mostert finished in second to round out Holden’s podium for the final time, with van Gisbergen content to claim third despite a pitlane penalty following an incident following a safety car restart.
“Don’t die wondering, I wanted it to be a Holden one-two-three,” van Gisbergen said.
‘When I got to third, I was excited.
Red Bull Ampol Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen celebrates the drivers’ championship with Holden teammates Chaz Mostert and Broc Feeney
I am quite devastated and bewildered that we were given a penalty so much later.
‘I’m very happy Holden won too, and Broc got his first win and the team came out on top… ripper.
“I’m glad to be back here in Adelaide and to see the packed stands.”
Highlights of van Gisbergen’s 2022 include his win at Bathurst and the Pukekohe send-off victory. With 21 wins from 34 races, van Gisbergen admitted his dominance has given him pause for thought.
“It feels amazing… I kind of let it take effect after Gold Coast,” he said.
‘I wanted to come here and perform, but it hasn’t worked.
‘What an amazing year we’ve had… I’ve tried to treasure some of the moments from this year.
Shane van Gisbergen, #97 Red Bull Ampol Racing Holden Commodore ZB driver and Broc Feeney, #88 Red Bull Ampol Racing Holden Commodore ZB driver celebrate
“You realize along the way that it’s not going to be like this all the time.
‘[Pukekohe] It was the best weekend I’ve ever had in racing… amazing how it all worked out.
‘Pukekohe was where he fell in love with Supercars and wanted to be a Supercar driver.
“Sending it like this was epic.”