Kiwi Heimgartner still hammering out Supercars deal
Kiwi Supercars driver Andre Heimgartner has denied reports he has secured a seat with Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport for 2017.
The 21-year-old is still working on putting together a deal with LDM — the last Supercars team to confirm drivers for this year — but says nothing is sorted yet.
He is waiting to hear from potential sponsors, which could help him seal the drive.
Reports from across the Tasman indicate Heimgartner will drive one of the LDM cars this season, with rookie Alex Rullo, who raced in the Dunlop development series in 2016, in the second car.
“I think there is some truth to the other car being a rookie but with myself, nothing has been done just yet,” Heimgartner said.
“I think there will be a rookie or new driver in one car but hopefully I will be in the other one.
“We are getting closer and closer as time goes on. We are just trying to sort out sponsors at the moment. I think we are getting pretty close — it would be a 60 per cent chance we will be on the grid this year.
“We just need a bit of luck with a couple of things.
“I’m still working hard and trying to find sponsors.”
With just over a month until the first round on the streets of Adelaide, Heimgartner admits he is cutting it fine but he says it was no different last year.
“Last year, we did a deal and got it all sorted two weeks out from the first round.”
Heimgartner cut a frustrated figure last season as the LDM car just wasn’t fast enough for him to be competitive. He was inevitably towards the back of the field each race but is optimistic things will be better this year if he can secure the drive.
“You always hope that it is going to be a bit better. I think we will be able to make some gains in a few areas that will help.
“Unfortunately everyone else is doing the same thing, so we are not the only ones improving.
“I think it will be the same if not a bit better than last year.”