V8 Supercars Championship team Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport is set to give Dunlop Series rookies Andre Heimgartner and Kristian Lindbom laps in the co-driver practice sessions over the next two events.
The 18-year-old Heimgartner has been selected to drive Dean Fiore’s car later today, while Lindbom is scheduled to do the honours at Winton.
Heimgarter has more experience of the Ipswich venue in a V8 Supercar thanks to tests with his regular squad Finance Ezi Racing and several guest test appearances with Paul Morris Motorsport.
LDM is understood to be chasing Kiwi international Matthew Halliday to pair with Fiore in the three endurance races, although Heimgartner and Lindbom could provide back-up options should that plan fall through.
Team principal Lucas Dumbrell says he’s looking forward to seeing how Heimgartner performs today, where he is guaranteed the first 30 minutes of running under the twin 75 minute practice session format.
“I’m keen to see what Andre is capable of,” Dumbrell told Speedcafe.com.
“He understands that he’s not doing an audition or anything, he’s just going out there to get some experience in a different car from what he’s driving now.
“It’s nothing too extreme, he won’t get a lot of timed laps, but it never hurts to have a look at the next young talent coming through.
“Running the car will also allow us to make sure the car has rolled out of the truck fine and doesn’t have any little gremlins.”
LDM’s second car will be driven in the co-driver time by Paul Morris, who is already confirmed to be teaming with regular Scott Pye.
The only cars without co-drivers for the Queensland practice sessions are that of Russell Ingall, Shane van Gisbergen and Jonathon Webb.
