Heimgartner’s luck repeats in pairing with Slade
ANDRE Heimgartner has again hit the jackpot, being rushed in late to share a Brad Jones Racing Commodore at the Gold Coast 600 with Mermaid Beach’s Tim Slade.
Just as was the case at Bathurst, the Kiwi will replace Slade’s usual co-driver Ash Walsh as he continues to recover from four fractured ribs suffered in a crash at Phillip Island last month.
Walsh said it was “heartbreaking” to miss another round but Slade noted rib injuries simply cannot be rushed.
“It’s obviously a shame to not be pairing up with Ash because he is definitely one of the best co-drivers out there,” Slade said.
“The ribs are not really something that you can hurry up the healing process; I think it’s basically six weeks.
“It was pretty brave of him to even try to drive the car at Bathurst (before being ruled out). We had sort of a list of guys that we had written down to replace Ash if he wasn’t going to be fit enough to drive and Andre was towards the top of that list.”
Despite various troubles, Slade and Heimgartner managed to bring home the No.14 in ninth place at Mount Panorama.
Heimgartner will be on double duties on the Gold Coast, also racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia series in which he is placed second.
“To get the call-up again for this weekend is an opportunity I wasn’t expecting but which I am very grateful for,” the 22year-old said.
“The last thing you want to do is take a seat away from someone, especially in this circumstance.
“Hopefully we will be able to see Ash in good health and back behind the wheel soon.”