Thomas Randle blitzed the field, sweeping the weekend in a Bentley masterclass at the Aussie Tin Top round at South Australia’s Tailem Bend.
The rising Supercar racer was driving his longtime sponsor and friend, Rusty French's Bentley Continental GT3, who was stuck in COVID lockdown in Victoria. He repaid the favour by taking pole and winning all three races in a powerful display.
“When the opportunity came up, I couldn’t turn it down. So a big thanks to Rusty for lending me his car. It was really good to get racing again,” Randle said.
“I hadn’t driven a car since July at Sydney Motorsport Park, so it was really good to get the racing miles up. Motorsport isn’t like any other sport where you can practice every day, so I was very fortunate to get behind the wheel.
“Over my racing career, I have been able to drive in a variety of different cars and categories and this weekend was no different and I was able to add another type of race to the list.
“It was great to see fans back at the track as well, and I loved their reactions when they saw the Bentley up close, it’s a magnificent machine!”
Randle admitted to a large slice of luck following the opening Tin Top race when Yasser Shahin was stripped of the victory with a post-race time penalty.
“That was a really unfortunate deal for Yasser with his 30 second penalty, I felt for him, but I’m still happy to benefit from his misfortune!” Randle cheekily added.
“I would have liked to be doing more Dunlop Super2 Series event this year but under the circumstances, it’s almost impossible. Supercars and Motorsport Australia have done a brilliant job this year to try and get a calendar up and going and the fact that Super2 will be at Bathurst is amazing.”
“I’m so thankful to Team BRM who prepared the car meticulously – they are great friends, and to Skye Sands who helped make it all happen.”
Saturday was as close as the field got to the Super2 championship leader – who then led from start to finish in both of Sunday’s races.
The on-track action topped off a positive week for Randle, with confirmation the Super2 series has been reinstated as the leading support category in next month’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
Just six days after being cancelled, Super2 will return to Mount Panorama – ensuring a champion will be crowned. Randle is the current points leader after two events – in Adelaide and Sydney.
It also gives the 24 year-old valuable miles around the country’s most difficult circuit ahead of the Bathurst 1000 – where he will partner leading Holden contender Nick Percat in a BJR prepared Commodore.
“Personally I’m absolutely thrilled to have Super2 back at Bathurst – hopefully we can continue to lead the series and become the champion,” Randle said.
“And any time you can drive a car around that place you learn so much – so that’s crucial for us to be on the pace to make sure I hold up my end of the bargain with Nick in the main series.”
“Nick is having a fantastic season and I know the team is really optimistic of what they can achieve come the end of October.”
Randle said he was buoyed by the impressive run of last year’s Super2 champion, Bryce Fullwood, who managed his first podium in the main game of the Supercars series at Tailem Bend on the weekend.
“It’s a great result for Bryce and just goes to show the talent that is coming through the Super2 series, and what an impact they can make,” Randle said.
“We’re talking with people about next year – hopefully I can get the results I need to win the title this year, and who knows what’s next for 2021.”
Randle has returned to Queensland where he is basing himself before Bathurst, while his hometown of Melbourne is in stage 4 COVID lockdown.