Seventeen-year-old duo Josh Hunter and Andre Heimgartner have been announced as the two drivers who will pilot the all new Finance EZI Racing Falcons in this year’s V8 Supercars Development Series.
The pair completed a successful test at Queensland Raceway yesterday, in full preparation for their debut runs in the Dunlop Series at the demanding Adelaide street circuit in one weeks time.
“We’re excited to announce the Finance EZI Racing team today and intend to grow it, and the brand, over the next few years and these two seventeen year old’s are the start of a big journey for Finance EZI Racing,” said team owner Maurie Pickering.
“The Dunlop Series is a great vehicle for marketing and brand is certainly everything today, in terms of growth and I think the exposure we’re going to get out of these young guys is going to be another added dimension,” he added.
Despite their tender age, both are experienced pedalers and will be looking to bring their youthful enthusiasm to the newest team in the series, as they look to push for top results in 2013.
Hunter, the grandson of 10 times Australian sprintcar driver Garry Rush, is the reigning Australian V8 Touring Car Champion and is excited at the step up to V8 Supercars racing.
“I’m looking forward to making the step up to the development V8 Supercars series. We won last year’s Touring Car Cup thanks to the support of Finance EZI and now I’m really thankful for the opportunity the company has provided for me in 2013.”
“This car is quite new, it’s James Moffat’s V8 Supercar from last year, so there’ll be plenty more power than the V8 Touring Car I’m used to so with this great equipment under me I’ll be looking to do a solid job for the team this year.”
While his talent impressed in the touring car category the step up to the Dunlop Series and tracks such as Adelaide’s street circuit will be a demanding leap for the youngster.
Teammate Heimgartner is slightly more experienced with plenty of Australian track action under his belt after contesting all rounds of the Porsche Carrera Cup in 2012.
It will be the Kiwi’s third trip to the Adelaide circuit, however his first in a V8 Supercar and with the brand new Finance EZI Racing outfit.
“The development series car is quite different to the Porsche I drove in Australia last year with the car being rear engined and quite controlled in terms of what you can and cannot adjust,” said Heimgartner.
“Adelaide is quite a different track but luckily I’ve driven there twice before and managed to keep it off the wall so hopefully I can do the same next weekend and do the best job I can for my new Finance EZI Racing team.”
The two-time New Zealand Formula Ford Champion will also be looking to adapt to the Falcon quickly, bringing with him V8 knowledge from the V8 SuperTourer Series which he contested last season.
Round one of the Dunlop V8 Supercars development series kicks off next week with DVS crews hitting the track for opening practice at 9.50am on Thursday 28 Feb.
