Motor racing champs rev up study at new MIT centre

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Shane van Gisbergen (dark hair) of Manukau and Andrew Waite (blonde hair) of Point Chevalier, both 17, are two of the students who are learning the nuts and bolts of automotive engineering, auto electrical systems, fabrication, panel beating and car painting through the new Pukekohe-based motorsport programme.

Wednesday, 21 March 2007

Motor racing champions rev up study at new MIT centre

While many young men would have their heads turned by the thrill of success on the motor racing track, two students working towards Manukau Institute of Technology’s Certificate in Motorsport just want to get their hands dirty.

Shane van Gisbergen of Manukau and Andrew Waite of Point Chevalier, both 17, are two of the students who are learning the nuts and bolts of automotive engineering, auto electrical systems, fabrication, panel beating and car painting through the new Pukekohe-based motorsport programme. With about 70% of the students at MIT’s Motorsport Centre currently active in motor sports ranging from motocross and drag cars to drift cars, Shane and Andrew are considered to be the most high-profile drivers in their class.

Shane has a solid racing pedigree as his father is champion rally driver Robert van Gisbergen. Shane caught the racing bug early, starting out at eight years old with quad bikes before moving up to karts and Formula First. From there he leapt into the Formula Ford series in 2005/2006 and became the first rookie in the 32 years of the championship to win the series outright. He’s currently second on points in the Toyota Racing Series with one race to go at Pukekohe in April.

“I’ll drive anything and I’ve learnt a lot about things like handling,” he says, “but here I’m learning about the set up and the whole mechanical side. Since I’m racing against guys with a lot more experience, I have a lot to learn.”

Shane describes himself as opportunistic in his driving but realistic when it comes to his career. He has already done a test drive in a V8 supercar for Australia’s Stone Brothers. “They’ll be at Pukekohe watching in April. I’ve got a lot of years left in me and V8s are the way to go,” he says.

Andrew is hot on Shane’s heels in pursuit of a motor racing career. He bought Shane’s car and is currently placed second in the 2006/2007 Formula Ford series with the final race of the season at Pukekohe in April deciding the winner. He also comes from a motor racing family with a grandfather who was a rally car driver and his father and uncle are in his support team.

“I’ve never really had an in-depth look at engines before. I do a lot of racing in the off-season to keep myself sharp and this course is another way to get an edge,” he says. “If I know more, then hopefully I’ll be able to make suggestions for improvements to the engineer and mechanic working on the cars I’m racing.”

ENDS

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