Positive signs after first practice sessions at Taupō for Brad Jones Racing

Andre Heimgartner finished both of Friday’s practice sessions inside the top 10 at Taupō Motorsport Park.

The other two Brad Jones Racing drivers also made strong progress across the sessions.

Kiwi Heimgartner is relishing being back in New Zealand and the support of local Supercars fans. He set a lap fast enough to put the #8 R&J Batteries GR Supra in fifth place at the end of Practice 2.

His team-mates Cameron Hill (#14 ElectroVoice Racing GR Supra) and Macauley Jones (#96 JWL Racing GR Supra) also made significant gains from the first session.

The team still has work to do overnight to find the ideal operating window for the cars, but they are encouraged by the early positive signs.

As Cyclone Vaianu bears down on New Zealand’s North Island, Supercars has made pre-emptive changes to the weekend schedule.

With heavy rain predicted for Sunday, the longer-format race has now been moved to Saturday.

All of Sunday’s running has also been brought forward to earlier in the morning in an effort to get ahead of the weather.

BJR will be back on track tomorrow at 9:45am NZT / 7:45am AEST for qualifying.

Updated Schedule

Saturday NZT
9:40-9:52 - Race 8 Quali Part 1
10:00-10:12 - Race 8 Quali Part 2
10:35-10:47 - Race 9 Quali Part 1
10:55-11:07 - Race 9 Quali Part 2
12:20-13:33 - Race 8 - 120kms
15:30-17:18 - Race 9 - 200kms

Sunday
8:00 - Race 10 Quali
9:45-10:58 - Race 10 - 120kms

QUOTEBOARD

SUPERCARS

Andre Heimgartner, #8 R&J Batteries Toyota GR Supra

“Solid day. Not 100% happy with where we ended up. But, some good progress and good direction. So feeling excited for the weekend.”

Cameron Hill, #14 ElectroVoice Racing Toyota GR Supra

"We had a busy hour period there with two practice sessions in a short space of time. But I felt like we made some positive changes to the car. We're probably a little bit outside the window in the first practice, but second one, it felt better. We can do our homework tonight and see if we can find a few more tenths for tomorrow."

Macauley Jones, #96 John West Logistics Racing Toyota GR Supra

“I wasn't super stoked with the car inPractice 1, and we had some issues in Practice 2, so I didn't get very many laps in which is unfortunate because it's a pretty hard track. I find around here with such low grip spots it’s hard to find the right balance and way of attacking. So, a little bit of work to do tonight, but it’s not too bad on a green tyre. There's some positives to take out of today.”