Garth Tander was left to carry the team alone in a live TV interview after main driver Shane van Gisbergen bailed to vomit after a night celebrating their Bathurst 1000 win.
Appearing on Nine’s Today on Monday morning, van Gisbergen acknowledged the camera, gave a salute, said “I was here”, and then disappeared off camera.
The team confirmed a short time later he had indeed left the interview to vomit.
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Tander said van Gisbergen was curled up in the fetal position a short time later.
“It’s hard work doing a thousand kays around here, but it was harder work getting him up this morning,” Tander said.
The pair teamed up to win a chaotic Bathurst 1000 at the Mount Panorama circuit on Sunday – a win for Holden in the brand’s final appearance at the circuit.
It was van Gisbegen’s second Bathurst win, both of them coming with Tander, who won his fifth.
Tander said winning a fifth Bathurst crown was “a bit surreal”.
“I still remember as a young kid growing up sitting on the couch watching this race with my dad, and just dreaming of one day driving around the track,” he said.
“And then to get a start here was was amazing, and to have a win … it was beyond your wildest dreams.
“And now to stand here as a five-time winner of the race. Yeah, I can’t believe it.
“I don’t usually get emotional at the end of races like that, but yesterday hit me pretty hard.”
Van Gisbergen didn’t clinch the title yesterday, but will do so at the Gold Coast barring a total disaster.
His breakfast TV cameo left host Karl Stefanovic amused.
“It’s like the Logies aftermath,” he joked.
“A great Australian tradition, I’m glad he was able to let fly. Good on him.
”Not everyday you see that on live breakfast television.”
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