Supercars drivers learn from All Blacks in Auckland

Defending Supercars Champion Shane van Gisbergen is lapping up every second of being on home soil this week in the lead up to the ITM Auckland SuperSprint.

Today, the Red Bull ace was joined on a special tour of the All Black Experience at SkyCity in Auckland by fellow kiwi Chris Pither and defending Repco Bathurst 1000 Champion Lee Holdsworth.

All three are rugby tragics and thanks to Auckland Unlimited were given a tour by All Black #902, Ian Jones. They were each gifted personalised All Blacks jerseys, each featuring their racing numbers; Van Gisbergen #97, Pither #22 and Holdsworth #10.

They got up-close with the Bledisloe Cup – which for Holdsworth was bittersweet considering Australia hasn’t lifted the famous cup since 2003.

The experience showcased to the drivers a complete All Blacks experience, from the first-hand excitement and emotion of game day to the full force of the haka from inside a crowded stadium on a four metre high screen.

The visit will be shown in full during the broadcast of this weekend’s event which will be live on Sky Sport in NZ from Friday – Sunday, live on Fox Sports and Kayo in Australia. Highlights of the event will be broadcast on the Seven Network.

The trio will now turn their attention to this weekend’s final ever Supercars’ event at Pukekohe Park Raceway, which begins with practice on Friday.

If Van Gisbergen wins all three races on his home track this weekend, he will break countryman Scott McLaughlin’s season record of 18 race victories.

Van Gisbergen leads the Repco Supercars Championship by 500 points heading into this weekend with the Ford trio of Cam Waters, Will Davison and Anton De Pasquale in pursuit of the dual-title winner.

Limited tickets are still available for this weekend’s ITM Auckland SuperSprint through Ticketek and Supercars.com.