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Posted: 2022-10-08 23:17:15

Shane van Gisbergen and co-driver Garth Tander have claimed a second Bathurst 1000 victory as a duo after surviving a frantic sprint finish in Holden's farewell appearance at Mount Panorama.

It was Van Gisbergen's second Bathurst 1000 title, while Tander adds a fifth to his tally.

The pair previously teamed up to win in 2020.

The win also sees Van Gisbergen break the single-season wins record with 19 and places him on the verge of a second-straight Supercars championship.

"It's special, I'm rapt," Van Gisbergen said, praising his team.

"To send Holden out like this is epic … [it's] a special way to send it out."

Shane van Gisbergen leads the field in the Bathurst 1000.
Van Gisbergen led the field home after the eighth stoppage late in the race.(Getty Images: Daniel Kalisz)

Chaz Mostert and Fabian Coulthard were second in their Holden Commodore, while Ford's Cam Waters and James Moffat finished third.

"When Chaz [Mostert] got into second I got a bit worried because we know how fast he is here," Van Gisberrgen said.

"But once the gap stayed at a second I knew we were OK."

'Absolute losers': Heimgartner rages after monster smash 

A vehicle with 'safety car' written on the side turns a corner leading racecars in single file at the Bathurst 1000.
The safety car was a familiar sight throughout the race.(AAP: Murray McCloskey)

The horrendous weather forecast did not come to pass, but there was plenty enough drama in the opening stages of a frantic race.

The 10th lap of the race was the first to be run without incident after two massive crashes marred the opening laps of racing.

A patch of standing water on the outside of turn one caused a multi-car pile-up on the very first lap to bring out the safety car for the first of its eight visits to the track.

When racing resumed on lap four, it did so for only half a lap before a monster shunt immediately removed three cars from the race.

Zane Goddard locked up at the bottom of the chase, went off the track and, when he returned to the track, slammed into Matt Campbell and Dale Wood.

Wood's lead driver Andre Heimgartner was furious in the garage, telling Fox Sports his rivals were driving like "absolute losers".

"It is like these people don't realise it is 161 laps," he said.

"Hopefully they get their shit together and we don't … ruin more cars."

New Zealand veteran Greg Murphy was even more blunt.

"What's everyone doing?" he said.

"Are they trying to win it in the first stint?

"No-one's learned … It's just madness, complete madness.

"You had to have eyes in the back of your head."

That huge shunt did appear to settle the field somewhat, but the safety car was still called upon on laps 17, 32, 41 and 57 before a merciful run of over 60 laps without incident.

Van Gisbergen/Tander rise to the top

Shane van Gisbergen and Garth Tander stand together pointing their fingers in celebration.
Van Gisbergen (left) and Tander came out on top following a sprint finish.(Getty Images: Daniel Kalisz)

By that time the running order had settled itself out and the pairing of Van Gisbergen and Tander, kings of the mountain in 2020, had established themselves at the front of the pack.

The pair led 110 of the 161 laps, managing each stoppage and restart and were only truly challenged in the final 15 laps after the final safety car stint.

Mostert and Waters both appeared to have the capability to challenge Van Gisbergen in the final stint.

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