Fledgling Supercar racer Thomas Randle has been confirmed alongside a superstar of the sport – set to partner former series champion James Courtney in December’s Bathurst 1000.
Randle will join Courtney – the 2010 Supercars champ – in the Boost Mobile Ford Mustang for the biggest race on the Australian motorsport calendar at Mount Panorama.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to team up with JC in the Boost Mobile Mustang,” Randle said.
“Obviously James is a former series champion and a really, really strong racer, so there’s certainly a lot I can learn from him so getting the chance to share the car with him is pretty special.”
Randle and Courtney spent the next day following their announcement testing together at Winton Raceway ahead of Supercars’ return to the track – with four consecutive weekends of racing at Sydney beginning next week.
From there the sport will move en masse to Bathurst for the biggest race of the year, which also will act as the Supercar finale for season 2021.
“The test day was good just to spend time together – finding out what each of us likes in the car so that when we get to Bathurst, we both feel comfortable,” Randle said.
“Tickford is a team that has won championships and won Bathurst before – so everyone in this team knows what it takes – now we have to knuckle down and try and get the job done!”
Next up for Randle is his third and final Wildcard appearance for the team, which takes place at Sydney Motorsport Park on the weekend of November 6 & 7.
Again, he will wear the Castrol colours and he’ll try to emulate his impressive top ten performances from earlier this season at South Australia’s Tailem Bend and Hidden Valley in the top end.
“I’ve had a really positive experience in my two wildcard races so far this season, and I’ll definitely carry that momentum and confidence – firstly to Sydney, and then onwards to Bathurst,” Randle said.
“It’s so exciting for the sport firstly to be back on track after such a long Covid enforced break, but now it’s about shining on the big stage – we know the footy has finished so now it’s our turn to make a big bang as a sport!”
“Bathurst is the holy grail – it’s the race that every driver in this country dreams about winning, and I know James wants to conquer the mountain, so we’re going to try and give ourselves the best shot possible.”
“I just want to thank the crew at Boost – it’s a thrill to be a part of the Boost Mobile team, as well as Castrol who have been such great supporters of mine this year.
“And also to my supporters ACT Fence Hire, Herzog Steel, Tradie, Ryco, Australian Clutch Services who have made all of this possible – this is as big as it gets for our sport, so I hope come December 5 we’re in the mix to win it!”
The Supercars Championship returns next Friday, October 29 at Sydney, with the season culminating at Mount Panorama for the 2021 Repco Bathurst 1000 from November 30 to December 5.