APC attracts another star name

The Australian Production Cars will welcome Dannemora’s Andre Heimgartner to its ranks for its 2017 season finale at Wakefield Park across November 18 and 19.

Heimgartner — who has impressed recently as a ‘super sub’ for Supercars team Brad Jones Racing at the Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600 as well as for GT outfit Craft Bamboo Racing — will co-drive with Dunlop Super 2 Series star Nathan Morcom in the Team DPO Ford Focus RS.

Morcom is currently one of four drivers in the hunt for the outright and Class A1 titles, alongside Bob Pearson and brothers Grant and Iain Sherrin. Earlier in the year, Morcom had the services of Supercars star Chaz Mostert as co-driver, however Mostert is otherwise committed for the November 18-19 weekend.

“Andre is such a talent and we were very impressed with his Supercars efforts at Bathurst and the Gold Coast — super late call-ups didn’t stop him from putting in great performances and his race-leading efforts on the Gold Coast by up to 20 seconds on the rest of the field in particular certainly got our attention,” Team DPO team manager Scott Fulcher said.

“When we knew Chaz couldn’t make it to Wakefield, we knew we had to find someone who could jump in and do a great job. After his amazing ‘super sub’ appearances in October, Andre made total sense and we were very pleased when he agreed to come on board with us for the final round of the APC season.”

Heimgartner, who is Melbourne-based, has just returned from New Zealand, where he followed up his maiden Supercars podium result of the Gold Coast with a drive in the BNT V8s at Pukekohe Raceway.

“The amount of track time on offer in the Australian Production Cars is really impressive, we are talking hours and hours of racing plus practice and qualifying time at every event on their calendar,” Heimgartner said.

“Nathan and Chaz have done a really good job so far and while Chaz won’t be in contention for the title by virtue of missing Wakefield, Nathan will be and so I am determined to do the best job I can to help him bring it home.

“Team DPO is a great outfit and I have heard good things about the Focus — I can’t wait to see what we can do around Wakefield Park later this month.”

The Australian Production Cars’ final round of 2017 will hit Wakefield Park Raceway on November 18 and 19. Two 300km races will be held, one on each day, with live streaming to cover all the action on both days.