Supercars: Garth Tander teams up with Shane van Gisbergen for endurance series

  • 10/01/2019
Garth Tander will work with Shane van Gisbergen in 2019.
Garth Tander will work with Shane van Gisbergen in 2019. Photo credit: Photosport

Kiwi Supercars driver Shane van Gisbergen will have experience on his side at Bathurst next year, after Red Bull Holden announced Garth Tander would be his co-driver for the endurance series.

Tander, who recently confirmed his retirement as a full-time Supercars driver, has agreed to partner Red Bull for the Bathurst 1000, Gold Coast 600 and Sandown 500 endurance events.

"Triple Eight have clearly been the class team in Supercars for the best part of the last decade, their results speak for themselves," 2007 champion Tander said.

"When the opportunity arose to join the team alongside Shane for the enduros, it was clearly the best way for me to transition from a full-time driver to a co-driver in this next phase of my career.

"I’m really looking forward to joining the team, hopefully bringing some experience and speed along with me, but mostly looking forward to learning from my new team-mates, Shane, Jamie [Whincup] and Craig [Lowndes]."

Van Gisbergen is confident that he and Tander can win 'The Great Race'.

"As far as experience goes, there’s probably not many better drivers," van Gisbergen said.

Shane van Gisbergen.
Shane van Gisbergen. Photo credit: AAP

"Craig is back driving with Jamie, which is fitting, and if you can’t have Craig, then Garth is definitely the best person to have on your team.

"It’s pretty special to have someone of his calibre with multiple Bathurst wins.

"I haven’t won Bathurst yet, so he’s the best person to give me a shot at that.

"Someone of that experience, who already has those achievements on his CV, will be awesome to work alongside.

"Hopefully, he can help me to finally win Bathurst."

New Zealander van Gisbergen finished second in the 2018 Supercars Championship, behind compatriot Scott McLaughlin.

Van Gisbergen's 2018 co-driver Earl Bamber is unavailable, due to Porsche commitments.

Fellow Kiwi Richie Stanaway has replaced Tander at Garry Rogers Motorsport.

Newshub.