Van Gisbergen wins pole for Sandown V8s

New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen will start from pole position in Sunday’s Sandown 500 V8 Supercar endurance race.

Van Gisbergen led a Ford one-two with David Reynolds second and Garth Tander bringing home the first Holden in third spot in Saturday’s sprint race.

Series leader Jamie Whincup and second-placed Mark Winterbottom both had dismal runs in the race for main drivers to determine Sunday’s grid places.

In a dramatic and hectic 20-lapper, Team Vodafone’s Whincup speared straight into a tyre wall while running second and eventually finished 19th.

Mark Winterbottom suffered a double blow to his championship chances.

The Ford Performance Racing driver, second behind Whincup in the series standings by just one point, dropped down the table dramatically.

Winterbottom’s problems began before he even had a chance to drive.

His teammate, Steve Richards, competing in the earlier co-drivers sprint race, was shuffled off the tarmac in a hectic run to the first turn.

Richards’ 19th place finish meant Winterbottom would start the main drivers’ sprint race from the position.

But he was dropped to the rear of the grid after officials ruled the car had returned to the pits before officials had checked it following the early race.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!