Heinrich thrilled by huge Sydney jump

Joel Heinrich and Whiteline Racing mean business in the 2025 Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters season after winning at a track he did not at last year.

Heinrich went from a fighting third last year, but struggling with tyre degradation to winning the round at the same track this year.

After being second in the opening race to Andrew Fisher, the Whiteline Racing Camaro then rose when it mattered.

Back to back wins to round out the weekend ensured Heinrich emerged as the comfortable overall round winner.

He was thrilled to start the year so strong.

“I am pumped with that. Super stoked to get the round win,” Heinrich told Auto Action.

“Huge thanks to the whole Whiteline Racing crew, the effort they put in over the off season was phenomenal.

“Last year here we were battling for fifth and sixth and coming here again we were worried we would be a bit behind the eight ball but made some changes to the car at the back end of last year, which really brought it to life.

“It was good to have some clean races with the guys. The car was fast in race 2 and it was great to get the win and in the final race, it was just about managing the tyres.”

Whilst he still finished third last year at SMP, Heinrich said the team has taken a massive step forward from 2024 where the Camaro chewed up tyres on the fast and demanding track.

“The bumps here really seem to upset this car,” Heinrich said.

“Also being high degradation and such a heavy car, we use the tyre up a lot.

“One of the biggest focuses was trying to keep the rear tyres underneath it the best we can and manage them through the race.

“Saturday was quite hot in the evening race and on Sunday with all the UV it just fell off a cliff mid race, but everyone was in the same boat.”

Heinrich said a big part of the progress was gaining greater understanding of the Whiteline Camaro and as a result, he has his eyes on the title.

“I am starting to understand a bit more about what the car wants,” he said.

“If I wanted something from the car changed, we went a bit out of the window last year.

“But having the better understanding now has definitely helped.

“We are definitely going in the right direction with this car. We have a really good package under us, so excited to see what the year can bring.

“The title is always the goal, but anything can happen and we will take each round as it comes.”

Just like last year Heinrich will be a busy boy doubling up in TCM and Aussie Racing Cars, plus the occasional dabble in speedway.

Touring Car Masters return at Symmons Plains on May 9-11.

Image: DMAC Photography

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