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![\"\u2018Different](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/JM2_7425.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Gen3 Toyota Supra. Image: Supplied <\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Gen3 Toyota Supra. Image: Supplied
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Heimgartner turned approximately 30 laps of Winton Motor Raceway in Walkinshaw Andretti United\u2019s development mule as engine testing continued on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
He shared the car with WAU test pilot Fabian Coulthard and BJR teammate Macauley Jones, who was also part of initial testing late last year.<\/p>\n
BJR crew were also on hand for the test as the team builds its own trio of Supras ahead of the season opener at Sydney Motorsport Park on February 20-22.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s exciting. There\u2019s a lot to unpack and a lot to work out, and obviously it\u2019s not quite the finished product yet,\u201d Heimgartner told Speedcafe.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s good to get my hands on it finally and get an understanding of what the car is going to be like for the next couple of years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve done a great job. There\u2019s a few things that need to be tidied up with driveability and stuff, but as a whole, it\u2019s quite a strong package.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Supercars-TheBend-177.jpg\")
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Andre Heimgartner. Image: InSyde Media<\/p>\n
The Supra has now been fitted with an updated aerodynamic kit following homologation testing at the Windshear wind tunnel in North Carolina in December.<\/p>\n
Heimgartner, however, affirms the biggest difference from the driver\u2019s seat is the feel of the 5.2 litre, quad-cam 2UR-GSE V8 engine.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe aero package is much of a muchness,\u201d said Heimgartner, whose BJR squad switches from the 5.7-litre pushrod-powered Chevrolet Camaro.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure there will be little differences when you get down to the nitty gritty of it, but at this stage, we obviously haven\u2019t been able to play with set-up or anything.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo that knowledge is limited, but for sure, the engine is definitely a different beast to what we\u2019re used to.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a different configuration, obviously, more aligned with what the Mustang is [as a quad-cam]. It\u2019s gonna be interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the Gen3 cars all share the same control chassis, the various body shapes also make for a slightly different view out of the cockpit.<\/p>\n
Heimgartner has now driven Supercars from five different brands \u2013 Nissan, Holden, Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota \u2013 across just eight years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bodies are obviously quite different from car to car, so you\u2019re able to see different things and different amounts out the sides,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mirrors are quite good, whereas on the Mustangs, the mirrors were quite challenging, so 100 percent there are parts of it like that that are better or worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for when Heimgartner will get behind the wheel of his own R&J Batteries Supra?<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully soon. It\u2019s like any car build, it\u2019s always \u2018last minute motors\u2019 waiting for things,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe boys are pretty on top of it, but just waiting for engines and a few other things to come up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d be surprised if we don\u2019t have a car up and running by early Feb.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/285249.gif\")