Super Black Racing has announced its plans to field a full-time V8 Supercars entry for Kiwi teenager Andre Heimgartner next season.
The Tony Lentino-owned outfit, which appeared as a wildcard at Bathurst, has confirmed an agreement with Prodrive Racing Australia that will see it field a Ford Falcon in the championship.
A statement from the team says Super Black “is currently finalising plans to secure a Racing Entitlements Contract”.
As previously reported, the REC is expected to be leased from Dick Johnson Racing, which is set to scale back to a single car under its Marcos Ambrose-led DJR Team Penske guise.
“I am really pleased to announce Andre as our first full-time driver as we prepare to embark on our first full season in V8 Supercars,” said millionaire IT magnate Lentino, who is a long-time friend of PRA co-owner Rusty French.
“He was one of our Kiwis on debut at Bathurst and despite still being a teenager he impressed me and the guys at FPR with his speed and consistency.
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“Super Black Racing was created to nurture young Kiwi drivers and to give them their own team to aspire to be part of. Together we are looking forward to taking on the green and gold teams and giving them a taste of black.”
Heimgartner, who will complete his second full-time Dunlop Series season at Sydney Olympic Park next month, had teamed with compatriot Ant Pedersen to finish 11th in Super Black’s Bathurst wildcard.
“To be the first driver to represent Super Black Racing is a real honour and I am proud to be representing New Zealand as our team takes on the Aussies in V8 Supercars,” said Heimgartner.
“Our wildcard at Bathurst gave me a taste of racing at the top level and thankfully my performance there showed team owner Tony Lentino I have what it takes to compete at the highest level.
“Although, I’m under no illusions that it is going to be hard and there is a lot to learn, but racing as a group means we can grow and learn together. I can’t wait to be on the grid in Adelaide for the first race of 2015.”
While Super Black’s Falcon will be run under “a technical services agreement” with Prodrive, the team says it will be structured such that it does not contravene regulations that prohibit entities from controlling more than four cars.
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