Dannemora’s Andre Heimgartner, 21, has taken pole position for race one of the Carrera Cup at the Clipsal 500 today, pipping the rest of the field by three tenths of a second.
Yesterday’s practice sessions were the first time ever for Heimgartner in the #777 Bob Jane T-Marts Porsche, and his pole position comes ahead of a number of key stalwarts of the category courtesy of a 1m 22.1566s lap.
“I hadn’t raced the new Porsche with a paddle shift ever before, so I was a bit worried as some drivers do find it difficult to adapt, but we were fast in testing and I felt really confident early,” said Heimgartner, now based in Melbourne.
“I felt I would be close to pole, and to be able to clinch it by three tenths of a second felt really great.
“I can’t wait to see what the race holds this afternoon.”
Five seasons ago Heimgartner became the youngest driver to compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championship at 16 years and 8 months.
He went on to contest two seasons in the Super2 Series, followed by two seasons in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship before his Carrera Cup return this season with top-ranked Sonic Motor Racing Services.
Race one of the Carrera Cup at the Clipsal 500 starts at 3.05pm Adelaide Time (5.35pm NZT). For how to watch, go to www.supercars.com/tv-schedule/
