A variety of components ought to assist ease the Kiwi’s transition from Supercars to NASCAR, beginning with the similarities between the 2 technical packages of their present types.
The truth that it’s a avenue course, somewhat than an oval, will even be a major benefit for van Gisbergen – much more so than if he was debuting on a daily street course.
Not solely is the circuit new for the entire NASCAR drivers, however avenue circuits are commonplace in Supercars, the present calendar that includes Newcastle, Albert Park, Townsville, Surfers Paradise and Adelaide.
Whereas meaning van Gisbergen has in depth avenue circuit expertise, he is nonetheless not anticipating to be routinely aggressive on debut.
“I suppose it is arduous to only bounce in a single race, particularly [as] they do a couple of [road course] a yr now so that they’re fairly sharp,” stated van Gisbergen.
“I’ve clearly taken discover the final couple of months and have tried to observe. They don’t seem to be billies. It is not like there’s solely two or three good street course racers anymore. The highest 10 or 15 guys can drive and switch proper now.
“It’ll be very troublesome.”
Van Gisbergen’s versatility is well-known with success having are available in nearly every little thing he is tried his hand at.
He loved a stint as a factory-backed GT driver with the likes of McLaren and Mercedes, which yielded a Bathurst 12 Hour win and a GT World Problem Europe title in 2016.
He then returned to open-wheelers to win the New Zealand Grand Prix, after ranging from pitlane, in 2021.
Extra lately he has been competing on filth, scoring a WRC2 podium at Rally New Zealand final yr, whereas he has a daily programme within the NZ Rally Championship this yr.
He additionally spent the summer season competing in sprintcars in NZ.
