Shane van Gisbergen has won the inaugural BP Supercars All Stars Eseries after a successful final round, which included a win in the night’s first race at Oran Park.

 

Heading into the round less than 100 points ahead of Scott McLaughlin after an intense penultimate round last week, the first race was crucial for the title race and it was van Gisbergen who won from lights out to the chequered flag.

 

With Anton De Pasquale in second place and Brodie Kostecki in third, McLaughlin finished the race in fourth place after qualifying in sixth. The consequence was van Gisbergen’s lead extending out to more than 100 points, essentially putting the title out of reach for the reigning 2019 Virgin Australia Supercars Champion.

 

In the second race at Bathurst, all hope was lost for McLaughlin as he was unable to make up ground throughout the 14-lap race and a big error in the final stages sealed the deal for van Gisbergen.

 

The series ended as it had in many of the virtual rounds, with van Gisbergen and De Pasquale locked in an intense battle for second place and just like it did on multiple occasions, the pair clashed in the dying stages and dropped down the order as a result.

 

However it wasn’t too much of an ordeal for either driver as they came fourth and fifth behind a top three made up of series debutant and race winner Harley Haber, Kosteki and Chaz Mostert.

 

Following the final race and claiming the virtual title, van Gisbergen was thrilled to win the series and was thankful he could stay competitive despite no real racing taking place.

 

“It is really cool to have won the title,” van Gisbergen said.

 

“Have to thank the organisers of this for putting it on. It’s been a great fun series while we have been parked up. Thanks to everyone at Supercars and thanks to my team for getting me some good stuff.”

 

As for McLaughlin, who comfortably finished the series as runner-up ahead of De Pasquale, he was just happy to wrap up the series after spending so much time on the simulator throughout the lockdown period.

 

“Finally I can get out of my sim seat after so many hours,” McLaughlin said.

 

“Like Shane said, a big thanks to the organisers for making it happen. It was a lot of fun. 

 

“I think the battles were the best part of it and seeing everyone get better. I think we put on a really good show for everyone while other sports couldn’t run. Thanks to our partners for putting up with us, as well as our fans.”

 

Supercars will return to real life action on 27-28 June at Sydney Motorsport Park.