Heimgartner on pole for opening Sydney Supercars race

Joanna Guelas | July 29, 2023

Three-time and defending Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen has struggled in qualifying as Andre Heimgartner claimed pole position for the first race of the Sydney SuperNight.

Brad Jones Racing’s Heimgartner earned his career-third pole position, the first of the 2023 series, ahead of Brodie Kostecki (Erebus Motorsport), Cam Waters (Tickford Racing) and series leader Will Brown (Erebus Motorsport).

Van Gisbergen (Triple Eight) began strongly during the three-part qualification following dominant practice sessions where he was almost 0.2s clear at the top.

The New Zealander was looking good, given his successful history at the track, winning eight races at Sydney Motorsport Park.

But his attempt to claw back to the top-10 in the second stage was marred by a yellow card in the dying minutes for turning too wide on the track.

He failed to advance to the final stage and will start Saturday night’s race from 20th spot on the grid while teammate Broc Feeney had to settle for 16th spot.

Despite ending Ford’s Gen3 Supercars chequered flag drought last round in Townsville, Shell V-Power driver Anton de Pasquale failed to make it past the first round of qualifying and will also start the race well back.

“It’s (the Mustang car) just not fast,” he said.

“It is what it is, but yeah, not a good session.”

The first 200-kilometre race gets underway at 7:35 pm AEST.

RACE 18 QUALIFYING:

1. Andre Heimgartner (Brad Jones Racing) 1:29.3447

2. Brodie Kostecki (Erebus Motorsport) 1:29.4264

3. Cam Waters (Tickford Racing) 1:29.5766

4. Will Brown (Erebus Motorsport) 1:29.6076

5. Jack Le Brocq (Matt Stone Racing) 1:29.7577