After 10 seasons with the same two-driver line-up, the addition of Shane van Gisbergen to the Triple Eight fold will be one of the most closely scrutinised driver movements in V8 Supercars history.
The missing element of the arrangement – a third Racing Entitlements Contract – was purchased by Triple Eight last week at the completion of a tender process.
The deal will see Van Gisbergen finally go head-to-head with two of the category’s all-time greats in equal equipment following three years with Triple Eight customer squad Tekno Autosports.
The Kiwi has spent the last two of those years without a direct team-mate, although is able to share data with Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes as part of the customer arrangement.
Whincup has had the edge over team-mate Lowndes for much of their time together at Triple Eight, scoring six championships in the last seven years.
Van Gisbergen in fact proved Whincup’s greatest challenger in 2014, finishing second in the championship with Tekno.
The 40-year-old Lowndes continues to prove a title contender, however, and again finds himself ahead of his younger combatants during the early stages of 2015.
Which of these three will finish highest in the 2016 V8 Supercars Championship? Vote now in this week’s Pirtek Poll.
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