Shane van Gisbergen's relationship with team owner Jessica Dane goes public
Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen's relationship has been something of an open secret in the motorsports world, until now.
While it wasn't exactly confidential information, the reigning series champion and Bathurst 1000 winner has been in a relationship with his Triple Eight Racing boss and co-owner of the team, Jessica Dane.
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The pair's relationship was confirmed to Wide World of Sports over the course of the Bathurst 1000 weekend earlier in October, however both have preferred to keep the details private.
Triple Eight Racing is reportedly fully aware of an supportive of the partnership, despite the potential risks of two senior staff being romantically involved.
Jessica Dane is the daughter of Triple Eight Racing's former owner Roland Dane, who had a heavy hand running the team after it was founded.
Her stake in the team is 30%, buying into the Banyo, Queensland-based outfit back in 2017, with Supercars great Jamie Whincup and Australian businessman Terry Quinn comprising the other co-owners of the team.
Dane has worked as the team's commercial operations manager, and also acted as deputy team manager for the team's Bathurst entry this year with Craig Lowndes and Declan Fraser.
She also worked closely with Lowndes in the years leading up to his retirement from the sport in 2018.
Van Gisbergen was accompanied by Dane to France for his debut in the Le Mans 24 Hour race earlier this year, as well as assisting him with his cameo in the World Rally Championship's recent visit to New Zealand.
The Kiwi star won his second Bathurst 1000 crown earlier in October, partnering once again with Garth Tander to claim a memorable victory ahead of Chaz Mostert.
Shane van Gisbergen wins second Bathurst 1000 in difficult conditions
The 33-year-old said a second win at Bathurst was taking time to sink in after he roared home to seal a repeat of his 2020 triumph with Garth Tander to give Holden victory in its final race around Mount Panorama.
After six hours and 43 minutes of thrilling and chaotic action in Australia's great race, van Gisbergen passed the chequered flag to an explosion of fireworks just one second ahead of second-placed Chaz Mostert.
The reigning Supercars champion beat a desperate chasing field in what transformed into a 39 lap sprint, then a 16 lap gallop home after Todd Hazelwood and Will Davison forced two late safety cars after six had come earlier in the 1000 kilometre classic.
"It's a privilege to add to the tally of Holden wins," van Gisbergen said.
"It's hard to put into words but it's pretty cool."
SVG had previously enjoyed a 12.3 second margin aided by teammate Tander before Hazelwood's incident triggered Sunday's seventh safety car, then Davison went into the wall two corners after his final pit stop.
The New Zealander heroically defended his slim margin ahead of 2021 winner Mostert, who hounded him to the final corner, crossing for his his 73rd career victory and Tander's fifth at Bathurst.
The win was record setting for van Gisbergen and cements the most dominant season ever in Australian Touring Cars and Supercars history.
He now has the most wins in a season with 19, eclipsing the previous record of 18 by Scott McLaughlin.
The next highest win by any driver in 2022's competition is three, shared by Mostert, Waters and Davison.
With AAP
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