Heimgartner stands out in qualifying

Nineteen-year old rookie Andre Heimgartner was the surprise package of qualifying, steering his SuperBlack Racing FG X to fifth, just 0.212sec behind pole man Craig Lowndes.

Heimgartner is experiencing the Falcon in FG X specification for the first time this weekend at the Tyrepower Tasmania SuperSprint -and until yesterday had never turned a lap at Symmons Plains!

The young kiwi was pleased with his qualifying result, which sets him up on the third row of the grid for the day's second race, with Holden Racing Team's Garth Tander to start alongside.

"It was alright, managed to get my stuff together in that one with fifth - absolutely a good result after the first two rounds," Heimgartner said.

"The car's absolutely fabulous, made a little tweak between the sessions and it's a jet."

Now it's just a matter of mastering the start - with this weekend being his second Championship meeting as a full-time driver, it's one part of V8 Supercars racing he has not had as much experience with.

"I think we'll be good in during the race, just getting that good start - it's only my second round and I'm still a bit off in the start and get that sorted."

Working with race engineer Dilan Talabani, Heimgartner believes the Falcon has been consistent across the meeting in Tasmania, and believes they will "be good" in the race.

Heimgartner recorded the tenth quickest time overall in practice yesterday, also generating some attention.

He described yesterday as a big step forward, and believed top 15 was a realistic goal for qualifying.

The SuperBlack #111 will start from 11thin the first race of the afternoon, with stable-mate Mark Winterbottom on the front row alongside Lowndes.

Heimgartner and David Reynolds were the top two from the Prodrive stable in the second race though, with Winterbottom seventh and Chaz Mostert 14th.

"It's good for me and Dave to be up the front and put a bit of pressure on them, but I'm sure they'll come back -they're really good drivers," Heimgartner said.

Stay tuned for two races from the Tyrepower Tasmania SuperSprint this afternoon.