After claiming pole in the Top 10 Shootout, Van Gisbergen held off Jamie Whincup to win the 102-lap race on the streets of Surfers Paradise, his fourth win of the year and Webb’s second career victory.
The 25-year-old Kiwi said he was forced to work for the win and TEKNO Autosports’ strategy played a key role.
“It was very hot out there. The race was quite high intensity and in the I had to pass a lot of cars and put out good times through the middle sector of the race,” Van Gisbergen said.
“Whincup was pretty quick when he pitted and I had to make sure we maintained the gap we’d built in order for us to come out on top. There were a lot of fast laps and a few little mistakes but it’s really great to claim a win after the last two rounds.”
Co-driver and team owner Webb said the win is a testament to the team’s resilience after the disappointment of Bathurst.
“The team has been working really hard for a long time and they’ve kept their heads high, pushed on after Bathurst and gave us the perfect weapon for today in the #97 VIP Petfoods/Lucas Oil Commodore.”
It is the third time this year Van Gisbergen has claimed pole, all from Top 10 Shootouts.
The Kiwi said the pressure of a Shootout lap is something that always excites him.
“The tracks I’ve won the Top 10 Shootout at, Adelaide, Bathurst and Gold Coast, are tough tracks. You have to hang it out for a good lap, which I really enjoy doing, and it seems to reward me,” he said.
A 20-minute qualifying session at 11:35am AEST will determine the grid for the second 102-lap race of the Gold Coast 600, the 32nd of the V8 Supercar Championship.
