Heimgartner Toyota set for overnight engine change
Andre Heimgartner Toyota set for overnight engine change
Kiwi suffered suspected engine failure inside first 10 laps of Race 2
Saturday a tough night for Brad Jones Racing
Andre Heimgartner's Toyota GR Supra is set for a new engine for Sunday’s DUNLOP Sydney 500 finale following an issue in Race 2.
The #8 R&J Batteries entry was struck down by a suspected engine failure on lap 9 of Saturday night's race, which was won by Team 18's Anton De Pasquale.
After qualifying 14th, Heimgartner had worked his way up to 12th when the terminal issue struck, leaving the Supra stranded on the outside of Turn 9 smoking and with a large trail of fluid in it's wake.
Inadvertently, Heimgartner triggered a wild sequence not on the track but off it, as a mad pit sequence under Safety Car saw Broc Feeney and Will Brown both penalised, Brodie Kostecki lose two positions, and Jayden Ojeda lose a wheel.
As crews began to leave Sydney Motorsport Park, Brad Jones Racing had already begun the process of changing Heimgartner's engine, following what was the first major mechanical issue for Toyota.
“Not the best day but it's all part of the journey. Unfortunately had some kind of motor issues,” Heimgartner said.
"We were running pretty good there and in a decent spot and then the car went bang. Looking forward to tomorrow.
"We'll try some different stuff to try help where we're qualifying and see if we can have another strong day.”
It was a difficult day for BJR, with Macauley Jones an innocent victim in a first corner collision between Jackson Walls and Declan Fraser.
The #96 AlphaTheta entry was forced to tour through the grass, which damaged a brake duct and the front undertray to the extent that he was forced into the garage for repairs during the Safety Car period.
Jones eventually finished three laps down in 23rd, however new recruit Cameron Hill fought his way to respectable 12th as he continues to come to grips with his new machine.
After qualifying 16th, the Canberran found himself locking horns with Zach Bates as he tumbled through the field early doors, Bates escorting the Supra through the trackside signage and the grass at the exit of Turn 6.
The Dare Iced Coffee #14 was right on the rail of Chaz Mostert's Walkinshaw Supra at the finish, a shining light in what was an otherwise tough day for the Albury squad.
The final day of the DUNLOP Sydney 500 begins with Boost Mobile Qualifying for Race 3 at 12:10pm local time.
