SVG AND AMPOL RED BULL RACING START 2023 AS THEY FINISHED 2022 – ON TOP

Reigning Repco Supercars Champion Shane van Gisbergen has begun the defence of his title in an emphatic fashion. The New Zealander headed home teammate Broc Feeney in a 1-2 for the Ampol Red Bull Racing Team.

Hopes ran high for a more spirited fight for race wins under the new Gen 3 era and there was cause for optimism when Brodie Kostecki grabbed pole position in the Erebus Racing Coca Cola Camaro, with Tickford Racing’s Cameron Waters in second.

Broc Feeney started 4th, while a small error during his lap had Shane van Gisbergen back in 6th.

SEE OUR FULL GALLERY FROM THE NEWCASTLE 500 HERE

Kostecki led as the green lights disappeared for the first of 95 laps around the Newcastle foreshore. The ocean breeze was a gentle tonic for the hot conditions, though the drivers still reported high cabin temperatures during the early stages of the race.

Temperatures became an issue in more ways than one as the tightly bunch field negotiated the opening portion of the race.  While Gen 3’s aero reduction had been designed to reduce wash and promote closer racing, the ensuing bunching of the field led to increased tyre temperatures and ultimately less overtaking than had been anticipated.

It was a problem noted in the post race media conference by each of the podium place-getters.

Van Gisbergen soon moved ahead of Feeney in a move that caught the #88 by surprise.

With overtaking opportunities somewhat negated by tyre conservation, pit stop strategies became the preferred option to gain track position and it was an area in which the Ampol Racing Red Bull Team excelled.

The team short-fuelled the #97 relative to those ahead, which afforded clean air for van Gisbergen when he emerged from the pitlane ahead of Kostecki and Waters.

From there Shane van Gisbergen simply drove away from his pursuers. 

By the completion of the second round of stops van Gisbergen was out of sight. Feeney had moved into second with Waters third. Chaz Mostert finished 4th from Kostecki, Brown, Heimgartner, Winterbottom, Pye and Courtney.

As spare parts are in somewhat of a short supply, it was comforting to see most of the field finish the race with minor scratches and marks that will buff out overnight. Mark Winterbottom’s rear suffered a bit of a knock which deranged the rear of his otherwise pristine Dewalt Racing Camaro, while Tim Slade had the left front guard peel back, which brought out the meatball sign for the Nulon Racing Camaro.

SEE OUR FULL GALLERY FROM THE NEWCASTLE 500 HERE

Nick Percat was the only classified non-finisher after the Mobil 1 NTI Racing Mustang was pushed into the garage just past half distance in the race.

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