Super Black Racing has confirmed its full-time involvement in next year’s V8 Supercars Championship.
Super Black Racing has signed a technical services agreement with Prodrive Racing (Australia) which runs Ford Australia’s factory team, Ford Performance Racing, to run the #111 Ford Falcon in the championship, and the team is currently finalising plans to secure a Racing Entitlements Contract.
Nineteen-year-old New Zealander Andre Heimgartner will be the team’s first full-time driver, following the team’s impressive debut as a wildcard entry at Bathurst this year, with Heimgartner and fellow Kiwi Ant Pedersen piloting the car to 11th place.
“I am really pleased to announce Andre as our first full-time driver as we prepare to embark on our first full season in V8 Supercars,” said Super Black Racing team owner, Tony Lentino.
“He was one of our Kiwis on debut at Bathurst and despite still being a teenager he impressed me and the guys at FPR with his speed and consistency.
“Super Black Racing was created to nurture young Kiwi drivers and to give them their own team to aspire to be part of. Together we are looking forward to taking on the green and gold teams and giving them a taste of black.”
Heimgartner, who currently races in the second-tier Dunlop development series and the New Zealand SuperTourers is eager to represent his national team and believes they can be in the mix after the performance at Bathurst.
“To be the first driver to represent Super Black Racing is a real honour and I am proud to be representing New Zealand as our team takes on the Aussies in V8 Supercars,” Heimgartner said.
“Our wildcard at Bathurst gave me a taste of racing at the top level and thankfully my performance there showed team owner Tony Lentino I have what it takes to compete at the highest level.
“Although, I’m under no illusions that it is going to be hard and there is a lot to learn, but racing as a group means we can grow and learn together. I can’t wait to be on the grid in Adelaide for the first race of 2015.”
