Motorsport: Kiwi duo rev up for Bathurst

Rotorua's Ant Pedersen, left, will race with fellow Kiwi Andre Heimgartner later this year for Super Black Racing, in the endurance series.

Rotorua driver Ant Pedersen will race at Bathurst for the V8 Supercar endurance races again this year for Super Black Racing, the team has confirmed.

Pedersen, who is this season competing in the V8 Development Series for Eggleston Motorsport, will join Super Black regular Andre Heimgartner for the Wilson Security Sandown 500 (September), the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and the Castrol Gold Coast 600 (both October) in the team's Ford Falcon FG X.

It was at Bathurst that the New Zealanders and Super Black Racing made their debut in 2014.

Pedersen and Heimgartner held down sixth place in the dramatic closing stages at Bathurst last year, before a late dash for fuel relegated them to 11th overall.

The outstanding debut was the catalyst for team owner Tony Lentino and team principal Paul Radisich to push ahead with plans to run a full season in 2015.

Heimgartner has continued to impress for the team with strong performances in the Supercar series and Pedersen is eager to go racing once again with his fellow countryman.

"Last year was an emotional rollercoaster ride at Bathurst, with the team debuting but performing exceptionally despite being on a huge learning curve," said Pedersen, 26, who is based in Hamilton.

"This time around they will have the best part of a full season behind them before the first enduro and they will be well placed to make a big step forward in the enduros.

"It's going to be great to be part of that. The support from everyone following us in New Zealand was huge and we expect it to be even bigger in 2015."

Pedersen has already taken a fourth and fifth place in the V8 Supercar Development Series this season.

Lentino said it was great to have Pedersen back in the team.

"After their impressive performance last year at Bathurst, there was never really any other option for us but Andre and Ant," he said.

"Having Ant back this season was always a priority.

"He was there when Super Black Racing started and knows the team so well already."