KGR ANNOUNCE HEIMGARTNER DEPARTURE

New Zealand Supercars driver Andre Heimgartner will depart Kelly Grove Racing at the end of the current Supercars Championship season after four years with the Victorian outfit.

It is a surprise announcement as the 26-year-old Kiwi currently sits eighth in the championship, his best season since joining the team.

At the Bend Motorsport Park, Round 4 of the season, Heimgartner broke through to claim his maiden Supercars Championship victory and was also the team’s first running Ford Mustangs.

In his time at the Braeside operation Heimgartner scored five podiums, the team has expressed its gratitude to Andre for the incredible seasons spent together; for his work ethic, passion and dedication for racing however it became apparent that it would be better for both parties to go their separate ways.

“This hasn’t been an easy decision for either party but it became apparent over our discussions that it would be best for André and his career to start a new chapter and challenge,” said team principal Stephen Grove.

“When the time comes, he will leave us with my blessing and huge goodwill from every single member of the team.”

“We’re proud of everything André has achieved with Kelly Grove Racing, but for now, we continue to focus on the rest of the 2021 Championship and finishing as strong as possible.”

Heimgartner raced Nissan Altimas at Kelly Racing for two years before the squad elected to make the move to Ford Mustangs for the 2020 season onwards.

Another change occurred at the start of this season when Stephen and his son Brenton Grove of Grove Racing joined the operation, taking a 50% share in the team.

The Kiwi joined what is now known as the Kelly Grove Racing team in 2018 after a stint at Super Black Racing and Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport.

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