The key focus that delivered Heimgartner podium
Race 19 runner-up Andre Heimgartner had a direct focus on to converting a good launch on Sunday after his costly poor launch in the night race.
Heimgartner followed home Shane van Gisbergen in Sunday’s race at the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight.
It was the Kiwi’s sixth podium of the season, which was set up by his fourth front row start in his last six attempts.
On Saturday night, the joy of Heimgartner’s first pole for Brad Jones Racing quickly turned to frustrated when he bogged down off the line.
The 28-year-old shared the front row with eventual winner Brodie Kostecki, and was fourth by Turn 1.
Steering rack issues and an ill-timed Safety Cat ultimately consigned Heimgartner to 14th.
Come Sunday, and Heimgartner was again on the money over one lap as he qualified second alongside van Gisbergen.
There was one thing left — make a good start, and from the clean side of the track, Heimgartner stole the lead.
Van Gisbergen ultimately got past on lap 4 and won, but Heimgartner was pleased to deliver a podium, having delivered on his own focus.
"We good got a good start which was a big focus after yesterday and then I just put my head down,” Heimgartner said in the post-race press conference.
"Had a bit of a fight with Shane and decided just to back off to conserve the tyres and just trying to consolidate.
"But car's pretty speedy. Not quite enough to catch Shane in the end but really happy to come home with another podium.”
Heimgartner is 282 points behind series leader Kostecki heading to the OTR SuperSprint, which will be held on August 18-20.
