Kelly Racing has confirmed the final driver of its TCR Australia campaign with André Heimgartner to steer the team’s second Subaru WRX STI TCR in 2019.

 

The 23-year-old joins CAMS Australian Rally Championship driver Molly Taylor, young gun Alex Rullo and former Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge driver Chelsea Angelo in the New South Wales based team’s four car charge.

 

While Heimgartner will continue with his all his current racing commitments in both Australia and abroad, adding the seven TCR rounds to his schedule, the series will be the New Zealander’s first foray into front-wheel drive touring car racing.

 

Following the announcement, Heimgartner said he was excited to join the growing series for its historic inaugural season. 

 

“I’m really looking forward to getting into the new TCR Australia Series,” Heimgartner said.

 

“It’s an interesting new category and to be given the opportunity by Kelly Racing who I already have a great relationship with is really exciting.

 

“All of the cars are front wheel-drive which is something new to me. I’ve only ever raced in rear-wheel drive categories so I’m looking forward to taking on the new challenge and getting to grips with a new type of race car.

 

“There are a lot of really high-level drivers in the category and some of them I’ve raced with before so I’m keen to get out there and start racing alongside them in Sydney this weekend.” 

 

Ahead of the first round at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend, Heimgartner and Kelly Racing will get one last chance to test the car at Winton Raceway on 15 May.

 

The historic first round of the inaugural TCR Australia Series will take place at Sydney Motorsport Park as part of the Shannons Nationals.

 

The category will be broadcast live, free and in HD on SBS, as well as live streamed on thenationals.com.au.