Where Heimgartner, Kostecki stand on driving standards

Brodie Kostecki and Andre Heimgartner have weighed into driving standards debate, saying the wild racing in Melbourne was a "good spectacle" while suggesting a change that could enhance the action.

A new way of racing and Dunlop's new Soft tyre have encouraged robust on-track battles across the first two rounds in Sydney and Melbourne.

Notably, officials stayed out of the Cam Waters/Broc Feeney/Will Brown battle in Sydney, while there were several skirmishes and on-track incidents in Melbourne.

Through all the drama, only two penalties were handed out in Albert Park; Ryan Wood's drive-through over his clash that sent Jack Le Brocq into the wall, and Chaz Mostert's post-race time penalty for tipping James Golding into the gravel.

Heimgartner admitted Driving Standards Advisor Craig Baird is often "almost fighting a losing battle" given one party will always be left upset by an outcome, just like umpires in cricket and AFL, or referees in football and NRL.

However, the Brad Jones Racing driver suggested the on-track drama was good for the sport, something Matt Stone Racing driver Nick Percat alluded to across the weekend.

“It’s always going to be a difficult thing,” Heimgartner told Supercars’ Cool Down Lap podcast.

“You're almost fighting a losing battle in many respects. Being Bairdo, it's a tough job. We've had many people over time and they always get crucified.

“So, he's doing what he can do, and I think this weekend was a good spectacle, as awesome as in front of all the Formula 1 people.

“I think naturally going into the next round, the track, and all the tracks we go to now will lend itself to some calmer racing, for sure.”

2023 champion Kostecki said he was happy with the new order, and suggested that a change to the existing wheel design could help drivers be even more confident in wheel-to-wheel combat.

"I'm pretty comfortable where it's at, at the moment,” Kostecki told Supercars.com.

"I think we definitely need more racing, and harder racing... I think the next step is to change the wheels and encourage more side-by-side racing without cars jumping up in the air.”

On the Wood/Le Brocq incident, Kostecki said: “You can look at that one from a few different ways. I think Woody's approach into the corner was a bit steep.

"I think Bairdo's been doing a great job of making the racing more entertaining. To be honest, his hands are a little bit tied at times as well with the ruling that we race under as an international sporting category.

"So, it looks very simple on the outside, but it's really complex once you dive into it.”

Speaking after the second race of the Melbourne weekend, Percat said he reached out to Baird for more clarity, and hailed the new standard's impact for getting people talking.

“I reached out to Bairdo last night and wanted to understand a bit more where it’s all at and yeah, I’ve got a real clear understanding of what we can do now,” Percat explained.

“I was definitely confused after Sydney, but it looks, the way the rules were applied with that amazing battle at the end of the SMP race, that’s what I feel like is the go.

“I think it puts on really good racing, it’s great for the spectacle, it’s great for the fans and the sponsors, we’ve actually got people speaking about the sport and loving it.

“They’re coming up to us in the paddock and talking about how good the racing is now. As long as it doesn’t get too out of control and we’re writing off cars, I think we’re at a really good point.

“It’s probably a different mindset, not getting red mist and flustered if someone runs you off, because before that wasn’t really tolerated and now we can rub a bit.”

The 2025 Repco Supercars Championship will resume in New Zealand at the ITM Taupō Super 440 on April 11-13. Tickets for the event are on sale now.