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Robert van Gisbergen could not hold back the tears as he watched son Shane secure a maiden Supercars title in dramatic circumstances at the Coates Hire Sydney 500.
A major influence on Shane’s career as both a father and manager, Robert was one of the first to greet his son as he stepped from the car at the end of today’s race.
Admitting to tears in the emotion of the moment, Van Gisbergen Snr said Roland Dane’s Red Bull team has been able to unlock the best from his son on and off track.
“He’s always wanted to be a Supercars champion and he’s finally got it,” Robert van Gisbergen told Speedcafe.com.
“How could you not (be emotional)? Supercars champion is pretty up there. This is the ultimate.
“We’ve had a few setbacks along the way, but coming to Red Bull has certainly tidied him up.
“I stay out of it, but you can just see it (the Red Bull team’s influence) in his demenour and his attitude this year.
“The way he’s handled the press… it’s just 10 fold improved. It’s awesome.
“He’s done a superb job, as has Shippy (engineer Grant McPherson) and the whole team at Red Bull.
“It’s topped off a really good year after winning in Europe in Blancpain and a few RC (radio control) things too.”
Shane paid tribute to the dedication of his parents, with mother, Karen Wallace, also supporting him at the circuit.
“I owe everything to my family,” he said, before adding insight into his father’s perfectionist nature.
“Dad is a racer (former rally driver) and I’m a pretty big critic of myself but he’s even more so.
“Even yesterday, he was standing in a few points of the track and he’d come in and say ‘Jamie (Whincup, team-mate) was doing this and he looks a little bit better,’.
“I’m like, ‘I know, I can see it on the data’, but he’s always trying to tell me what to do.
“He’s been a great influence, he’s sacrificed a lot, him and my mum.
“They travel to most races now and to have them there and be one of the first people to see me after this moment was a really cool thing.
“He had some tears in his eyes which was pretty cool.”
A former regular as a driver on the New Zealand rally scene, Robert encouraged his son into motorsport by buying him a Suzuki ATV at the age of five.
Shane spent subsequent years racing motorcross and quarter midget speedway before graduating to open-wheelers and eventually Supercars.
When asked of being Shane’s toughest critic, Robert van Gisbergen used a term that his son has often referenced in the press this season – ‘no mistakes’.
“The only way to win is perfection,” said Robert.
“I wouldn’t say I’m ruthlessly hard on him but my biggest thing is ‘no mistakes’.
“He made a mistake today (tangling with Mark Winterbottom) but man did he pull through.
“That was a champion drive.”
Robert has himself been out of the driver’s seat for four years after breaking his back while operating a dingo digger.
Although unsure if he will ever be fit to return to action in a Ford Escort RS1800 he is currently building, Robert has no plans to stop giving his son driving tips.
“I’ve always done that,” he said of reporting back after practice sessions.
“If I think there’s a gain for him somewhere I’ll tell him.
“I do that whether it’s this or RC racing. I’ve always done it.
“The good thing is he does respect what I tell him.
“I’ve never been to his level but I do know what I’m talking about to a degree.”
