Heimgartner’s done with Supercar apprenticeship
Kiwi Supercars driver Andre Heimgartner believes he’s spent long enough doing his apprenticeship in the category and now it’s time to get race wins.
The 24-year-old from Auckland is in his second year with Team Kelly, driving a Nissan Altima.
He started yesterday’s Bathurst 1000 in 13th place on the grid and was seen as an outsider to win, if things fell his way with the race strategy.
He wants to stay at Team Kelly next season, but also feels he’s paid enough dues and proved himself to warrant a seat in a competitive car.
‘‘I’ve done those years doing that sort of stuff and Team Kelly are really good, but they’ve been hamstrung with the Altima because of the aero,’’ Heimgartner told Stuff.
‘‘If we can get some good equipment, can get get right up there and be competitive, there’s no reason why not.’’
Heimgartner started out in Supercars with the struggling New Zealand team, Super Black Racing and then moved to the worst team in pit lane, Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport when SBR collapsed.
He spent time out of the category in 2017, but managed to get a late call up to drive at Bathurst as Tim Slade’s co-driver when Ash Walsh failed to recover from injuries picked up in a crash just before the great race.
Heimgartner drove well enough then to secure a deal with Team Kelly for last year and retained his seat for this season.
However, after 119 race starts, including yesterday’s Bathurst 1000, Heimgartner feels his apprenticeship has been served.
But rather than looking for a new team, he’s hoping that he can continue his journey upwards at Team Kelly. ‘‘It’s been a good two years and especially in this second year where we’ve really made that big step forward,’’ Heimgartner said.
‘‘This is the first time I’ve had two years with a team, so it’s been great to work with the same engineers and mechanics and the car has a bit more potential than last year.’’
Heimgartner is still driving an Altima with Team Kelly, even though the Japanese car manufacturer cut its ties to Supercars at the end of last season.
Heimgartner says the team is still exploring all possibilities for 2020, which would be to continue in the Altimas, or look at switching to the Ford Mustangs or Holden Commodores.
‘‘They are looking at all options, just figuring out what engines they can run, so they’re playing around with that. Or maybe moving to a Mustang or a Holden.’’
Any motor racing driver will tell you that the person they want to beat more than anyone else in a race is their team-mate and for Heimgartner, he has outshone the three other Team Kelly cars this season.
It’s something Heimgartner takes pride in, but says he also buys into the bigger picture at the team.
‘‘At the end of the day, it’s no good beating your team-mate but being beaten by everyone else,’’ he said.
‘‘We’re aiming to be in the top 10 and if we do beat our teammates that’s a positive, although we are all working towards one goal.’’