Motorsport: SVG getting to work on struggling starts

Kiwi Supercars champ Shane van Gisbergen is having issues with his starts on the grid. Photo / Photosport

Defending Supercars champ Shane van Gisbergen has more race wins than any driver this season but knows he needs to improve one key area if he is to record back-to-back titles.

The 27-year-old trails teammate Jamie Whincup as well as Shell V-Power rivals Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard in the championship battle despite winning four of the 10 races so far this season - but admits his starts have been causing him some issues.

He was beaten off the line twice at the last round at Winton and has consistently struggled for parity, let alone making ground on his rivals in the opening couple of corners.

"It has never been my strong point but I've really been working on it and getting better and better," van Gisbergen said. "But then this last round I had a couple of shockers.

"It is something I need to keep working on."

The Red Bull Holden Racing Team driver is widely considered the best racer in the Supercars field and he has plenty of experience and success in various categories around the world.

But getting his car off the line has seen him have to work harder to make up for sluggish beginnings to races.

"It is a weakness because it makes the job that much harder," he admitted to the Herald yesterday. "I have to focus on that."

He gets his next opportunity at Hidden Valley Raceway near Darwin next week and will recall fondly how much speed he had at the Northern Territory venue last year.