Heimgartner excited to build on 'new direction'

Despite not being able to add to his emotional win in the first-ever Supercars race held at Taupō in 2024, there were still plenty of positives for Andre Heimgartner to take out of the ITM Taupō Super 440.

A solid showing to start the year at Sydney Motorsport Park for Brad Jones Racing was tamed by a disappointing Australian Grand Prix weekend, but Taupō once again proved a happy hunting ground for Heimgartner this year.

Although he didn't have the outright pace that saw him miss out on winning the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy by just six points to Anton De Pasquale last year, Heimgartner was a regular presence in the top 10 in all three races.

Even more encouraging for the Kiwi and BJR was the strength of Heimgartner's race pace, with the #8 Camaro moving forward from it's grid position in all three races, most notably in both of Saturday's sprint races.

After qualifying a lowly 14th and 11th in the back-to-back qualifying sessions, Heimgartner was on the charge in Race 8, moving up six places to eighth in the 37-lapper, before going from 11th to eighth in Race 9.

Sunday was a better overall day for the 29-year-old, qualifying eighth on a unique tyre strategy that saw him only use two new tyres in the Top Ten Shootout, before finishing sixth in another strong race performance.

The two-time race winner fended off a flying Broc Feeney in the closing laps of the 200km refuelling race, including hefty nose-to-tail contact from the #88 at Turn 4.

"That started out well, got a good start and capitalising on some action, and was running fourth, but didn't quite have the speed in the first two stints to really stay there or make progress," Heimgartner said of Sunday's race.

"That was a bit disappointing, but managed to come home fairly strong and hold off Feeney to claim sixth. Not a bad weekend, two eighths and a sixth so can't complain with that.

"I think we learned a lot with our setup and different things this weekend, so guess it's exciting going forward with this new direction, and see how we go in Tassie."

Heimgartner's performances have seen him rise to 10th in the points standings, 37 points ahead of Will Davison as the Kiwi sits on the Finals bubble.

A boost in confidence could serve Heimgartner and BJR well heading into the next round in Tasmania, which was the scene of the team's only other podium finish of 2024 courtesy of Bryce Fullwood.

The 2025 Repco Supercars Championship continues at the Snowy River Caravans Tasmania Super 440 from May 9-11. Tickets for the event are on sale now.