PUKEKOHE, NEW SOUTH WALES - NOVEMBER 05: Shane Van Gisbergen drives the #97 Red Bull Racing Australia Holden Commodore VF during race 1 for the Supercars Auckland International SuperSprint on November 5, 2016 in Pukekohe, New Zealand. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Shane van Gisbergen qualified on pole for the first 250km race here at the Coates Hire Sydney 500 this afternoon, making sure his challenge for the 2016 drivers crown gets off to the best possible start.

Teammate Jamie Whincup refuses to give up however and will start alongside him on the front row.

Scott McLaughlin was third in his final weekend for Garry Rogers Motorsport and he will line up alongside his rival for third place in the championship, Craig Lowndes

Tander, Courtney, Reynolds Winterbottom and Mostert round out the top ten,