We welcome Samantha Hine to the team who is studying for a Bachelor of Communications and a Diploma in Journalism at Wintec. Here’s her first contribution to Talkmotorsport….
For many, Andre Heimgartner may seem like a mainstay in the Australia Supercars Championship having made his debut as a Bathurst wildcard in 2014.
This season, he has become one of the most talked-about drivers in the field, with many anticipating a win on the cards for him.
The recent round at Sydney Motorsport Park saw Heimgartner claim his first pole position in the series.
He went on to lead through the first stint of the race holding Jamie Whincup at bay only to lose the lead through the pit stop sequence.
Going on to take an equal best of second and disappointed not to have taken home the win.
Though it did see him bring home the team’s first podium in a Mustang just three race weekends into the programme.
Heimgartner, now in his third season with Kelly Racing, has enjoyed the consistency found in remaining with the same team.
His time with Kelly Racing is the longest he has been with any team in the Supercars championship.
This paired with the teams downsizing to two cars and their move to the Ford Mustang, has seen both Kelly Racing drivers find speed they have been lacking, with Heimgartner particularly looking in line for a race win this season.
The 2019 season saw Heimgartner effectively leading the Kelly team frequently out qualifying and out-placing the three other drivers in the squad. The speed the team showed was sporadic as they struggled to lock it in and find real consistency.
While he has found success in many other categories, he is having to work to make the most of speed he has had in Supercars, showing glimpses of being quick, but struggling to make it consistent.
Heimgartner made quick progress through the motorsport ranks, becoming the youngest NZ Formula Ford Championship winner at 15 in the 2010/11 season. He followed this up with a second championship title the following season.
He then made his debut in the NZ Touring Car Series and the Australian Porsche Carrera Cup, before making his first appearance in the Dunlop series in 2013.
The following year saw him claim fifth overall in the Dunlop Series for MW Motorsport, as well as making his first appearance in the Supercars championship with a wildcard entry in the Bathurst 1000, for Super Black Racing.
Following an impressive 11th place on debut, he became the full-time driver of the Super Black Racing entry in the 2015 Supercars Championship.
After a season with the team, he moved to Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport where he again struggled to find consistent pace.
2017 saw Heimgartner move back to the Porsche Carrera Cup, where he found immediate success as one of the dominant drivers, racking up 16 podiums. He finished the season second overall in the championship.
A chance call to race the Supercars endurance series for BJR saw him achieve a series of consistent finishes putting him back on the Supercars radar, earning him a drive with Kelly Racing in 2018.
The 2017/8 season also saw Heimgartner make a dominant return to the NZ Touring Car championship with Richards Team Motorsport, taking home a number of wins and the series title.
With a strong car and a consistent team behind him, Heimgartner looks set for a race win in the future.
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