Heimgartner in the hunt for Richards Trophy

Brad Jones Racing’s dream to take home special silverware edged closer to reality thanks to Andre Heimgartner’s podium.

Heimgartner raced from fifth to second in the ITM Auckland SuperSprint opener.

The BJR driver hounded Will Davison, who won his first race of the season.

The result came in BJR’s 700th Supercars race, some 22 years after the Albury squad’s debut.

The driver with the most points on the weekend will be awarded the coveted Jason Richards Memorial Trophy.

Richards, who passed away in 2011, raced for BJR in 2009 and 2010.

BJR fittingly took home the first JR Trophy via Jason Bright in 2013.

Team owner Jones recently drew comparisons between his former and current Kiwi drivers.

The history of Richards isn’t lost on Heimgartner, who was delighted to bring home a hometown podium.

“Pretty special driving car eight, which he drove,” Heimgartner said.

“For the team he drove for, and being a Kiwi.

“It would mean a lot to everyone in our team and for any driver to win, but especially us.

“Everyone [in the team] knows what they’re trying to achieve.

“Shane [van Gisbergen]’s not quite up there today, I’m sure he’ll be up there tomorrow.

“To be a Kiwi representing at the top is always good.

“Especially at home in front of a lot of family and friends, it has special meaning for myself.”

Auckland local Heimgartner’s third podium of the season helped him to eighth in the points.

It followed podiums in Perth and Winton.

Given the weight of crowd support, Heimgartner rated Saturday’s result better than than his maiden Supercars victory.

Last May, Heimgartner won a wet-dry thriller at The Bend for Kelly Grove Racing.

"I’d probably say if anything it was probably better than the reaction at The Bend,” Heimgartner said.

"You don’t get a crowd like that at The Bend so to do well in front of my fellow countrymen is pretty awesome.

"I came second but they acted like I won the race. It was cool to see that."