Young New Zealander Andre Heimgartner will represent Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia in an international young driver programme driven by Porsche Motorsport that could see him race in the 2013 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
Heimgartner and other young talents will compete on the race track under identical conditions, displaying their ability to turn in fast lap times while demonstrating technical understanding and analytical skills in finding a proper set-up for the 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
The ultimate prize: Porsche will cover the majority of the season’s budget in the 2013 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in addition to providing long-term training and support from the Porsche Junior.
Nominated by Porsche Cars Australia as the best young talent in the championship aged 26 and under, Heimgartner will now visit the Vallelunga circuit in Italy next week, joined by representatives from Carrera Cups in Asia, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and Scandinavia in the bid for the ultimate prize.
“I’m really honoured to win the award. I’ll do my best to represent Carrera Cup Australia and Team Kiwi Racing,” said Heimgartner.
“It has been a big year of racing for me, competing in two series – Carrera Cup Australia and V8 SuperTourers – but I’ve manage to adapt to all the tracks that we’ve come to.”
In preparation for Heimgartner’s departure for Europe, the New Zealander sort advice from his mentor and countryman Craig Baird, who sealed the 2012 Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia title in the Gold Coast.
“I was talking to Craig Baird and he said you’ve got to give it 100 per cent, but try to be as consistent as you can. He just won the championship, so I guess he knows what he’s talking about.”
Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager, Jamey Blaikie, believes this is a great initiate to promote young Porsche drivers.
“Porsche is phenomenal at promoting the careers of young drivers, especially through its one-make series around the world,” said Blaikie.
“This initiative is another great way to promote the careers of drivers like Andre in their quest to forge a career in motorsport.”
Heimgartner currently sits sixth in the Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia championship with one round remaining.
