Engine change for Heimgartner car

Brad Jones Racing has moved to change the engine on Andre Heimgartner’s car after he didn’t finish Race 31.

Heimgartner was the only non-finisher in Saturday’s Gold Coast opener, which was won by Shane van Gisbergen.

BJR changed the engine overnight, a fate similar to PremiAir Racing with Chris Pither’s car the night before.

An engine misfire was behind Heimgartner’s fifth DNF of the season, and second in a row.

Erebus Motorsport's Will Brown dropped 14 laps in the race due to a power steering issue.

The #8 R&J Batteries car had pace, with Heimgartner reaching the Shootout.

A kerb strike relegated him to 10th on the grid in what was his first BJR race on the Surfers streets since 2017.

Heimgartner is driving the same car he raced to a surprise podium alongside Tim Slade five years.

That car, nicknamed ‘Jinx’, was repaired following the lap 5 Bathurst crash.

Heimgartner made his first stop on lap 27, and dropped down the order.

He returned to the lane on lap 31, and the #8 Commodore was put into the garage.

Team owner Jones told the broadcast that a misfire had been detected, and feared the issue would be terminal.

That proved true, with Heimgartner unable to rejoin the race.

It ensured Heimgartner dropped from ninth to 11th in the points standings.

The Kiwi left Pukekohe 150 points from seventh place, but is now 288 points behind.

He also maintained Gold Coast’s record of having at least one car fail to finish in each race.

Cars will hit the track on Sunday for ARMOR ALL Qualifying, a Top Ten Shootout and Race 32.