Motorsport: Van Gisbergen amped for drifting debut

Shane van Gisbergen is having a crack at drifting. The Kiwi V8 Supercar star has signed up for the D1NZ National Drifting Championship Series' Legends Challenge.

The challenge, which will take place at the fourth round of this season's series at Hampton Downs in March next year, will pit the top D1NZ drivers against New Zealand touring car drivers from V8 Supercars and V8 SuperTourers.

Stone Brothers driver van Gisbergen is a keen follower of the D1NZ series and jumped at the chance to sign up for the event.

"I've always been a fan of anything that goes sideways, starting from watching my Dad rallying to when I first started racing Speedway, but I have never had a go at 'proper' drifting so it's going to be pretty awesome to get the opportunity to do so with D1NZ," he said this week.

Each V8 "legend" will pair with a local drifter and learn the ropes in their car before the Challenge meeting.

Van Gisbergen's partner is Shane Allen, who drives the Rattla Motorsport Ford Falcon V8.

Overseeing development of all drivers will be champion Curt Whittaker in his Nissan Skyline.

"I've seen photos and video of the Rattla Motorsport Ford Falcon and I can't wait to get behind the wheel and have a go myself," van Gisbergen said.

"It will be quite challenging, but I'm sure with a few laps I think I'll be able to get the hang of it."

The Legends Challenge is the first of a number of promotional initiatives D1NZ CEO Brendon White will introduce this year.

Another announcement is a new alignment with BP Ultimate 98 for the BP Ultimate Triple Crown - three Trophy Rounds which will give drivers an extra incentive to contest the penultimate round of the D1NZ Championship at Ruapuna Park in Christchurch.