Team Kiwi fourth in opening two Australian Porsche races

Media release: Team Kiwi Racing

Round one: City Index Carrera Cup Australia – Clipsal 500, Adelaide.

Team Kiwi fourth in opening two Australian Porsche races

Solid start for Team Kiwi in Adelaide

Starting from eighth position, 16 year old Team Kiwi Racing driver Andre` Heimgartner scored a stunning fourth place in his first ever race in the City Index Carrera Cup Australia on Friday night around the Clipsal 500 circuit in Adelaide.

Backing up the twilight evening result, the Year-12 Auckland high school student finished the second race for the weekend again in fourth, this time ahead of New Zealand Porsche champion Daniel Gaunt.

Heimgartner was understandably very pleased at finishing so well in the #21 Team Kiwi Racing Porsche GT3 911 Type 997, his first time in the eight-round championship series.

“It’s like the perfect dream,” he said. “From dreaming about racing internationally four weeks ago to being provided this opportunity by TKR, and finishing so well in my first two Porsche races against so many professional drivers – is amazing.

Heimgartner finished behind race winner Alex Davison, Nick Foster and fellow Kiwi Daniel Gaunt in the opening 20 lap race. Team mentor Craig Baird finished seventh after incurring a puncture late in the race while leading for most of it.

Team boss David John was equally thrilled at the result.

“Andre` has instantly adapted well to the TKR all black machine. To do so well against such a talented field in his first ever time not only racing for Team Kiwi but in a Porsche is very exciting– but he has also made it a whole lot harder for himself now!

“It’s the sort of start we knew as a team was realistic. We’ve got a brand new car, the best engineers and raw talent – all from New Zealand. Mix that with our goal of bringing a Kiwi driver to the international stage and it’s the best return for TKR as a team and that of our backers.

Team Kiwi Racing has a third and final 11 lap race being held early Sunday afternoon where Heimgartner will start the all black TKR Porsche on the second row in fourth position.

# # #

Round Date Event Location
Round 1 1-4 March Adelaide Clipsal 500 Adelaide, SA
Round 2 15-18 March Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix Albert Park, VIC
Round 3 4-6 May Trading Post Perth Challenge Barbagallo Raceway, WA
Round 4 18-20 May Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Phillip Island, VIC
Round 5 6-8 July Sucrogen Townsville 400 Townsville, QLD
Round 6 4-7 October Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 Mount Panorama, NSW
Round 7 19-21 October Armor All Gold Coast 600 Surfers Paradise, QLD
Round 8 30 Nov – 2 Dec Sydney Telstra 500 Sydney Olympic Park, NSW

© Scoop Media