Booth and Heimgartner fired up for first-ever V8SuperTourer race
Auckland team-mates Andy Booth and André Heimgartner are ready to step into the fray as New Zealand's strongest-ever line-up of V8 drivers hits the track for the first-ever round of V8SuperTourer racing this weekend.
After months of build-up the 16-strong field of V8SuperTourer drivers commence their inaugural series with a three races at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park mid-way between Auckland and Hamilton on Saturday 18 February. Among them are Birkenhead's Booth and Dannemora's Heimgartner driving for Kumeu's AV8 Motorsport.
Booth, a two-time New Zealand V8 touring car champion and former winner of the New Zealand Grand Prix, says the sheer strength of the V8SuperTourer driver line-up is a standout feature of the new series.
"It's probably the strongest-ever field I've been in competition with," says Booth. "Everyone's got great credentials and there's a significant percentage of the field who are full-time professional racers. And with everyone in virtually identical cars, the racing is going to be incredibly tight. The difference between first and 16th is seriously going to be minimal."
Booth says there was never ever any doubt that he wanted to be part of V8SuperTourers as soon as the new V8 touring car series was launched a year ago.
"It represents everything we, as competitors, have wanted from V8 racing in this country. The cars are so impressive in terms of their performance and safety. They're also going to be cost effective to run which is going to contribute to the longevity of the series."
From Heimgartner's perspective, the 16-year-old two-time New Zealand Formula Ford champion was looking for a new challenge.
"Together with my father Mark, we were looking for a very controlled class where inside knowledge and engine-building secrets didn't have any traction. Having won the New Zealand Formula Ford title twice, as well as the winter and South Island series this year, we considered other single seater racing classes. However this inevitably leads to racing in Europe or the US which is beyond our financial reach. With the sad demise of the Porsche GT3 Cup in New Zealand, we literally jumped for joy when we first heard about V8SuperTourers. It was exactly what the doctor ordered and we could get in on the ground floor! We purchased the 16th car to just make it to the start of the first season. To date, everything to do with V8SuperTourers has been so professionally executed and well sorted, we cannot see that this series can be anything but totally successful."
A successful test day on 10 February sees both Booth and Heimgartner feeling confident and prepared for this weekend's first of seven rounds.
"We had a fantastic first hit-out in the #23 Woodstock Bourbon Commodore," says Booth. "We completed 95 laps without a single issue – just as I would expect in a car built by Wayne Anderson from AV8 Motorsport."
Heimgartner described the test day as very encouraging. "We have good car speed and I am really pleased with the team engineer Craig Russell, and the interaction between Andy and myself. There's a fantastic team spirit. What more could I ask for?"
The AV8 engineers had Booth and Heimgartner concentrate on learning the cars, testing set-ups and gathering data.
The VE Commodore V8SuperTourer duo has bought new sponsors into the sport, which is a significant achievement in the present economic climate.
Heimgartner has extended his relationship with Pink Batts and Superlux Lighting which sponsored his championship-winning Formula Ford season. "I'm really pleased to have Pink Batts and Superlux Lighting continue as my main sponsors of the #22 Commodore V8SuperTourer. There is a common theme with both sponsors which relates to motorsport – fire safety – and we hope to work more on this theme during the season. A huge thanks to all our sponsors who have stepped up to the plate and endorsed this exciting new series."
"Forming this partnership with Woodstock is another really exciting aspect to this new season of racing," comments Booth. "Having new, well-known brands like this coming into motorsport highlights the strength of the V8SuperTourer series. In fact I've been talking with the team at Woodstock for a couple of years and it was only when we confirmed our intention to race a V8SuperTourer that they jumped at the chance to be involved."
The opening round at Hampton Downs sees Booth and Heimgartner on track for two practise sessions on Friday 17 February. A lunchtime pit lane walkabout and driver autograph session is sure to be well-attended by enthusiastic V8 fans. On Saturday 18 February, the drivers have a 20 minute qualifying session at midday following by the first-ever 20-lap race – a historic moment in New Zealand motorsport – starting at 3:10pm. Sunday's schedule comprises two further races – one of 25 laps at 11:40am and one of 35 laps at 2:45pm.
As Booth says, everyone's looking forward to putting on a fantastic show of motor racing for fans. "There's such obvious anticipation and such positivity from the public. It's brilliant to see and brilliant to be part of it."
Heimgartner summarises his expectations for the first V8SuperTourer round: "As a 16-year-old in such illustrious company my goal is clear. I must punch above my weight and dispel any doubts about my ability to race at this level."
With Heimgartner's lap times during an earlier test session were identical to V8 racing star Greg Murphy's, it's clear that fans are going to see some new stars emerge from the new form of V8 racing in New Zealand.
