Brilliant podium bittersweet for Heimgartner after Finals heartbreak
Brilliant podium bittersweet for Andre Heimgartner after Finals heartbreak
Heimgartner became the 18th different driver to stand on the podium
Brad Jones Racing driver lost Finals spot on last lap of Bathurst 1000
Consigned to last-lap heartbreak in Bathurst, Andre Heimgartner has been left thinking what could have been after a breakout weekend on the Gold Coast.
Heimgartner became the 18th different driver to stand on the podium this season with a sterling drive in Sunday’s Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 finale.
The New Zealander was fifth for the Gold Coast round, behind double winner Chaz Mostert, points leader Broc Feeney, Kai Allen and Cam Waters.
Had he started the weekend 10th in The Finals standings, Heimgartner would have progressed to the Sandown Semi Final. Instead, he has to watch on from afar as seven other drivers fight for the title
When asked if the Gold Coast performance was bittersweet, the 30-year-old said: “Yeah, for sure. I think I was in the 10 the whole year and then come the last lap Bathurst and got knocked out.
"So pretty disappointing. But I think the end of the year I typically go pretty good, so I’m just glad that it's sort of coming together and we can try and carry some of this momentum.
"The category is so competitive at the moment and testing so limited that it's actually very hard to find the sweet spot. This weekend we managed to do that and we'll see if we can continue it.”
The podium was also a reward for team owner Jones, who was hospitalised over the weekend due to a severe bout of the flu.
Heimgartner’s previous podium before Sunday was his stunning victory in Taupō last April, with the #8 R&J Batteries Chevrolet driver on a 45-race dry spell.
He even had to watch teammate Bryce Fullwood score a podium in Tasmania back in May, leaving Heimgartner to question if he would miss out on a podium for the first time in a season since 2018.
When asked if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, Heimgartner replied: “Yeah, definitely. I thought it was going to be my first year in a while without a podium. It’s been quite a frustrating year.
"I think my average qualifying's 18th or something, so pretty horrendous. I just haven't been able to find the groove. But, we've kept working away at it and not given up and unfortunately didn't make The Finals by three points."
The 2025 Repco Supercars Finals Series resumes at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 on November 14-16. Tickets for the Semi Final are on sale now.
