McLaughlin: “Nuts” to Share TF Corvette With Van Gisbergen

Photo: TF Sport

Scott McLaughlin and Shane van Gisbergen expressed excitement over the prospect of teaming up in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, with the former Supercars rivals sharing a car for the first time in their respective careers.

The two New Zealanders will pilot the No. 91 Trackhouse by TF Sport Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R alongside Ben Keating and Connor Zilisch for the 63rd running of the Florida endurance classic.

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener will mark the first time that the two drivers, both three-time champions in the Australian series, will team up aboard the same car.

They both made their name in Supercars, with McLaughlin then embarking on a new career trajectory in the NTT IndyCar Series, while Van Gisbergen competed in a variety of races and championships, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“Since we both left Supercars, we’ve been wanting to do something together,” Van Gisbergen told Sportscar365.

“Whether it’s an endurance race like this or the [Bathurst 1000] even, to go back and do that, so it’s really cool to share with him and it’s been fun learning how he works and interesting to see how we race together and how we like the car.”

Over the last two seasons, Van Gisbergen has also been made a shift to U.S. racing with appearances in NASCAR, notably winning the Cup Series street race in Chicago.

As McLaughlin recalled, it was there that the idea for a Rolex 24 partnership was first planted.

“I remember when he came over for the Chicago race,” said McLaughlin

“I said, ‘I guarantee you’re going to win, and then next year you’ll be over here racing.’

“And it all happened. It’s so funny how it’s all worked out. I’m following him so much in NASCAR, I’m really excited for him and I think he’s doing the same for me.

“It’s been nice to be able to like, share like our journey together from a friendship perspective, not a rivals’ perspective. So it’s nice.

“I drove his old Supercar way back in the day, like for a couple of test sessions, but as a race, yeah, first time.

“It’s nuts. New Zealand is pretty excited about it all and it’s awesome to be able to see how we go. We’ll see what happens.”

Van Gisbergen, for his part, hinted that the two drivers previously tried on numerous occasions to get a partnership off the ground, but it never materialized.

“I tried to get him to come back and be a co-driver in Supercars with me [for the Bathurst 1000] numerous times, but he was trying to do it with his other old team,” said Van Gisbergen.

“It’s always tough around IndyCar, but yeah, then we spoke about this race [as well as] the Bathurst 12 Hour, but then that’s tight with NASCAR season. There’s not much time to do other stuff.”

“It’s awesome. Like we said, when he went to IndyCar, it’s like, ‘Oh, good! now I can cheer for him again’ like when we were younger.

“So when I came to NASCAR [it was] the same. It’s been really cool and it’ll be fun next weekend to try and race with them.”

McLaughlin and Van Gisbergen both indicated that Friday’s opening Roar before the Rolex 24 sessions will be the first time they will have turned real-life laps aboard the Corvette, with their experience limited to similar sessions up until this point.

“It’s nice to have a roof over my head again,” said McLaughlin.

“I mean, I had that in the LMP2, but you know, a proper touring car again. A little bit more aero than what I’m used to back in Australia, but it’s certainly a pretty cool thing.”

Van Gisbergen added: “We did some sim stuff on Monday. Three of us: Scott and Connor and I, and not too much else, really.

“Of course I’m nervous, but yeah, who knows what the car is going to be, like if it will be easy to drive, fast or slow? I don’t know. We’ll find out [Friday].”

Jonathan Grace contributed to this report

Source: Sports Car 365