Heimgartner potential validated by BJR move

12 months ago, Andre Heimgartner was preparing for his first season with Brad Jones Racing.

An unproven partnership quickly blossomed into results, with Heimgartner scoring four podiums.

Come 2023, and the Heimgartner/BJR combination looms to be an even greater threat.

Given how BJR quickly emerged as a force when the COTF/Gen2 era began in 2013, the team looms as a force this season.

Thrust into the BJR spearhead role Nick Percat had between 2017 and 2021, the Kiwi thrived.

In the 28 times Heimgartner finished a race, he finished in the top 10 on 21 occasions.

That included a run of 12 straight top 10 finishes between Perth and The Bend.

Poor luck masked his overall standing, but the 27-year-old believes he is positioned for more bright moments in 2023.

“If we were going again [with Gen2], we’d be silly not to aim for the top five,” Heimgartner told Supercars.com.

“We have a new car which is different. But we earned our place in the top bunch last season.

“As the year went on, we were only getting stronger with the engineering group.

“My driving was only getting better as well.

“If we continue on like that, if not even stronger, we have the potential to do great things.”

Poor luck reared its head — Heimgartner had five DNFs and a DNS after crashes (Tasmania, Albert Park, The Bend and Bathurst) and an engine failure (Gold Coast).

However, it took just 11 races for Heimgartner to score a podium, and he added another at the next round.

He saved his best until New Zealand, where he scored two podiums and challenged for victory.

The new Gen3 cars are set to level the playing field, but Heimgartner’s overall performance couldn’t be denied.

Enjoying a consistent package was proof to Heimgartner the BJR move was the right fit.

It also ensured Heimgartner knew he had what it takes after four topsy-turvy seasons at Braeside.

“Working with a new team is always interesting to begin with,” Heimgartner said.

“I was at the Kellys for four years, you get used to being somewhere.

“We came out of the box strong, had ups and downs, and some really strong pace.

“We had plenty of bad luck, being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I wasn’t even in the car at Bathurst.

“It was a good consolidating year. Every weekend, we felt we were in the hunt.

"Some of the years at Kellys were a struggle. There were poles and the win, but we were on the back row as well at times.

“Being consistent validated the move to BJR, and was validating for myself in my performance."

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will commence in Newcastle on March 10-12.

Tickets are on sale on Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.