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Where does this leave Heimgartner?I guess one of the side issues that comes out of the transformation of Kelly Racing to next years Grove Racing, is what effect that will have on Heimgartner. Andre is out of contract at the end of the year.... he has always professed of his loyalty to the Kelly Bros for basically giving him the lifeline that kept his V8SC aspirations alive. He replaced Todd Kelly in the team, in a late call up when he was unable to even get an ongoing co driver role. Without the Kelly lifeline he would he believes have been back in NZ looking for a 9-5 career.
However, with the possible opportunities elsewhere (I am obviously thinking T888) will his loyalties to the team have altered given the ownership changes. Will his loyalty stretch to the Grove set up?
Having thrown that option in, he has been quick to say his belief in the Grove family is there and he believes the team will prosper as a result. But how much of that is "saying the right thing" and not ruffling feathers (ie not shitting on his own doorstep). Im sure he has been in touch with Roland to check out the land and get an update on what T888's current stance is on the JW replacement beyond what has been in the press.
He fits the profile of what T888 are looking for. Proven race-winning ability, young (he is 26), V8SC experienced etc, plus of course available in terms of being out of contract at the year end. A T888 opportunity would be hard to knock back... Obviously Feeney is a favourite for the gig and potentially the next SVG/ JW, and the Earl Bamber name has been thrown in a lot of late. My thoughts of Bamber is he seems very happy with his Porsche alignment in Europe, and of course has a German wife who might not like the idea of moving to Australia. With all respect a factory gig with Porsche is (to me) a lot further up the ladder than a top ride in what is a regional Tin Top series. Of course he knows better than I or others know about what his future with Porsche might have in the wings. Happy wife = happy life they say, and throw in a monthly cheque from a factory set up like Porsche.....