Supercars title rivals Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin dish out sledges ahead of Bathurst 1000

A WAR of words has kicked off between championship rivals Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin heading into the all-important Bathurst 1000 on Sunday.

A WAR of words has kicked off between championship rivals Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin heading into the all-important Bathurst 1000 on Sunday.

Red Bull Holden Racing Team ace van Gisbergen leads his New Zealand compatriot by 55 points in a likely two-horse race, with their nearest challenger Jamie Whincup a further 283 points back.

Both title contenders fired jabs at the other in the lead up to race day, with van Gisbergen declaring his team – also featuring Whincup and Craig Lowndes – had grabbed the ascendancy by working together better than DJR Team Penske duo McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard.

“As a team, our three cars work so closely and that’s been key because they (McLaughlin and Coulthard) seem to work separately and race against each other,” van Gisbergen told the Bulletin.

Scott McLaughlin and Shane van Gisbergen. Picture: Tim Hunter

“Working together has really been helpful to push the team forward and now we’re up there fighting and putting a lot of pressure on them, or trying to.”

An unimpressed McLaughlin hit back.

“That’s pretty interesting. There hasn’t been much contact between myself and Fabian unlike those guys,” he said, with likely reference to a series of heated moments this season between van Gisbergen and Lowndes.

“At least they are talking about us because obviously they are a little bit worried.”

The No.17 driver added that he’s confident of turning the tide in the title race as Red Bull “might have peaked too early”.

McLaughlin and van Gisbergen in close quarters on track at Tailem Bend. Picture: AAP Image

A proud Kiwi, van Gisbergen did however say it was excellent to see his nation starring in the sport.

“If I can’t win, I always want one of my teammates to but it is cool to see Kiwis up there whether it is Scotty or Fabian,” said the 2016 series champion.

“And having Earl (Bamber, co-driver) as well, it’s a great time for Kiwis in motorsport and hopefully we’re all fighting up the front.

“The interest from over there has been really, really cool.”

Grid spots for the Great Race will be decided on Friday and Saturday afternoons before the 161-lap classic starts on Sunday morning.