Shane van Gisbergen has ended Ford’s eight-race winning streak at The Bend Motorsport Park after claiming the first race of the OTR Supersprint in style.
 
The Repco Supercars Championship leader took out the 24-lap race thanks to a strong strategy that saw him pit last out of anyone, emerging as the race leader and claiming the win by more than two seconds.
 
Finishing behind the Kiwi was Shell V Power Race Team’s Will Davison, who moved up four positions during the race, while Chaz Mostert rounded out the podium.
  
Having started on the front row alongside surprise polesitter Zak Best, van Gisbergen inherited the effective lead when the wildcard entry went into the pits on lap 11.
 
Instead of going in soon after, van Gisbergen held firm and continued to pile on fast laps with clean air, eventually pulling into the pits on lap 20 and coming out in front of Davison, who had produced a successful undercut to move into second.
 
Once out and ahead of Davison, the championship leader comfortably extended his lead to take out the victory and bonus points for the race’s fastest lap.
 
It was a highly impressive performance from the Kiwi, who claimed his 12th win of the year.
 
"The car was magic," van Gisbergen said.
 
"We had to run long to gain clear air.
 
"[The tyres] were still fine... Will had passed us; we had to make that speed.
 
"The pit stop was awesome too."
 
Finishing just off the podium was Cameron Waters, while Best ended up reaching the chequered flag in fifth after a solid outing himself.
 
Click here to view the full results.
 
The OTR SuperSprint continues Sunday with another 88 lap race.