Daniel Kalisz / Getty Images
Andre Heimgartner will reportedly join Brad Jones Racing starting next season.
Up-and-coming New Zealand Supercars star Andre Heimgartner has split from Kelly Grove Racing in a shocking way.
The 26-year-old Kiwi will end the Covid-19 plagued season in 2021 but will not return with Kelly Grove in 2022.
Stephen Grove, who stepped on as the majority shareholder in Kelly Racing, which became Kelly Grove Racing earlier this year, paid tribute to Heimgartner’s work ethic, passion and dedication when he announced the split in a statement on Tuesday.
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Andre Heimgartner will compete for Kelly Grove Racing at the end of the current Supercars season.
After five podiums and two pole positions in qualifying, Heimgartner clinched his first Supercars win this year at The Bend SuperSprint for Kelly Grove Racing.
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The talented young Kiwi doesn’t need to look for another seat in the highly competitive Supercars driver market, as Heimgartner’s manager John Ruggiero told Speedcafe.com after “several approaches” to “his future definitely secured” on the Supercars grid.
“Andre’s performance will be announced in due course, that’s really all we can say.
Daniel Kalisz / Getty Images
Andre Heimgartner won his first Supercars race earlier this season.
“I think his place in sport is now well anchored: race winners, podiums, pole positions and not even at its peak,” Ruggiero told Speedcafe.com.
“So now he is a valued asset as a driver in this sport and we met a lot of interest… so we considered our options and decided to take an alternative offer for a longer term security.
“Ultimately, he got an offer that was essentially really attractive and he chose to go in that direction,” said Ruggiero.
Speedcafe.com has reported that Heimgartner will become Brad Jones Racing from 2022.
Heimgartner joined the team – then known as Kelly Racing – in 2018 while racing on the Carrera Cup and GT circuits after previous Supercars stints at Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport and Super Black Racing yielded disappointing results.
Daniel Kalisz / Getty Images
Andre Heimgartner drives the NED Racing Ford Mustang for Kelly Grove Racing in his final season.
“I will forever be grateful to Todd and the entire Kelly Family for taking a risk when I was down,” Heimgartner wrote on Instagram.
“I’m looking forward to new and exciting opportunities.”
Grove said Kelly Grove Racing and Heimgartner continue to strive for the best possible result in the 2021 season.
“The decision was not an easy one for either party, but in our conversations it became clear that the best thing for Andre and his career would be to start a new chapter and a new challenge.
“When the time comes, he will leave us with my blessings and great benevolence from each and every team member,” said Grove.
“We are proud of everything André has achieved with Kelly Grove Racing, but for now we are still focused on the rest of the 2021 championship and are as strong as possible.”
