VIDEO: Shane van Gisbergen battles his dad on tarmac and dirt

Inter-generational battle spans the Tasman, on both tarmac and gravel

Shane van Gisbergen battles his dad on tarmac and dirt
Gallery 1

SHANE van Gisbergen is one of the fastest men to ever grace our shores.

The loveable Kiwi is the reigning Supercars champion, the outright lap record holder at Mount Panorama, and is generally known for his ability to race and drift anything with four wheels.

However, there is one man who SVG hasn’t been able to best all these years; his father, Robert.

Note: What a flashback! This story was first published in 2017, but as Father’s Day nears, we couldn’t resist sharing it again. Enjoy!

Despite now being one of the fastest racers in Australia, Shane has never beaten his father on that twisting ribbon of dirt.

A two-stage battle was put forward. First, the pair would take to Norwell Motorsport Complex in Queensland, in Shane’s regular office – a Red Bull Holden Racing Team VF Commodore Supercar.

They would then fly to New Zealand for the final showdown; a high-speed blast up the family driveway in a Holden Barina AP4 rally car. 

Wheels would be on the ground in New Zealand to look on as the two generations of van Gisbergens attacked the family driveway.

The results? Well, it was a no-brainer for Shane to be quicker in the Supercar. But it seems he needs to spend some more time practicing at home on the driveway before he can dethrone King Robert.

We have exclusive photography, and chat with SVG and his dad to give you the inside story on his family life, upbringing, and challenges.

Cameron Kirby
Contributor

NEWS

News

Hyundai teases next N car ahead of Goodwood reveal

The sister to the Wheels 2025 Car of the Year winner has been teased ahead of a UK reveal and confirmed to be headed for Australia.