Super Black Racing launches at Sydney Naval base

Andre Heimgartner with the new Super Black Racing Ford Falcon at the Garden Island naval base.

New Zealand's sole V8 Supercar (V8SC) team, Super Black Racing, launched their Prodrive Racing (PRA) prepared Triple One Ford Falcon FG at the Sydney Garden Island Naval base with their driver Andre Heimgartner last night.

Heimgartner, only 19 years old, is set to begin the official V8SC test today after the big reveal in Sydney alongside his PRA team-mates on the grounds of the Royal Australian Navy base.

Team owner, Tony Lentino said: "We are so proud to finally be here and to be part of the Prodrive Racing team. We're really excited about the year and finally being able to reveal the car that we call 'The Dark Horse', is awesome.

"It just makes the whole campaign real now because we've been planning this for months and months so to finally be here is like a dream come true. We're also honoured to be representing New Zealand and in true Kiwi style, we'll give it everything we've got."

Being among the youngest drivers to ever tackle competing in a V8SC championship, Heimgartner said he knows he has a big challenge ahead but he's looking forward to it.

"I know it won't be easy but I'm lucky to have such an incredible team of people behind me to help me learn, along with all of our awesome New Zealand fans. I'm also fortunate to have such experienced guys guide me along the way, like Paul [Radisich], Chaz [Mostert], Dave [Reynolds] and Mark [Winterbottom]," said Heimgartner.

"We just want to go out there this year and give New Zealanders something to be proud of."

Touring car legend, Paul Radisich, also joined the team in Sydney with his official role as team principal, which will see him guide and mentor the team with his experience, which spans over 20 years in motorsport.

The official PRA launch also saw the release of the brand new Ford Falcon FG X set to be piloted by Mark Winterbottom and Chaz Mostert aboard the HMAS Canberra, Australia's newest war ship.

Super Black Racing is set to campaign the new Prodrive Racing FG X later in the season.