It’s the biggest weekend in Australian motorsport, and rising Supercar racer Thomas Randle is pinching himself ahead of his third crack at the famous Bathurst 1000.
The rising star of the sport and reigning Super2 champion will team with 2010 Supercar series winner, James Courtney, in the Boost Mobile Ford Mustang as part of Tickford Racing’s three-car operation.
For Randle, it’s a huge opportunity to shine on the sport’s biggest stage at Mount Panorama.
“I grew up idolising this race and the legends that took part, and to be gearing up again with one of the biggest teams is still a dream,” Randle said.
“It’s as big as the sport gets, and it’s the trophy every single race car driver in this country craves – so we’re all hoping for a great weekend and a slice of luck to give us a shot at the Peter Brock Trophy.”
This will be Randle’s third attempt at the Bathurst 1000 after previously racing alongside Lee Holdsworth in a Ford in 2019 and Nick Percat in a Holden last year.
To prepare the 25-year-old spent drove in a dedicated co driver practice session during the penultimate round of the Supercars series at Sydney Motorsport Park, whilst most recently running in his father’s Saab V8 Sports Sedan at Island Magic across the weekend.
It adds to the experience he’s gained in a three round wildcard appearance with the team, highlighted by impressive top ten finishes at South Australia’s Tailem Bend and Darwin’s Hidden Valley earlier this year.
“I’m super comfortable in the car and James and I have hit it off really well – it’s full credit to the team for ticking all of the boxes before we hit Bathurst,” Randle said.
“James is a former series champion, he’s a veteran and a star of the sport, and was on the podium a couple of weeks ago – so we’ve got high hopes of a decent result… fingers crossed!
“At Bathurst you just have to buy a ticket to the last hour of the race… if you can look after your car and stay on the lead lap, then anything can happen in the run to the finish.”
Randle’s role in the team will grow beyond this weekend, having already signed to race full-time with Tickford next year.
The Melbourne based team will grow from three to four cars for the 2022 championship, which begins next March on the streets of Newcastle.
“It’s a dream to be racing this weekend, but I won’t lie – the excitement I have for 2022 is already huge,” Randle explained.
“We have some exciting news to drop up at the mountain which I can’t wait to show off – it’s a really fun time ahead for my family and I to be at the sport’s holy grail ahead of what’s to come – both this weekend and for next year’s season.”
“I just want to thank the crew at Boost – it’s a thrill to be a part of the Boost team, as well as Castrol who have been such great supporters of mine.
Opening practice for the 2021 Repco Bathurst 1000 begins on Thursday at Mount Panorama, ahead of qualifying on Friday, the Top Ten Shootout on Saturday, and the 161-lap classic on Sunday, beginning at 12.15pm AEDT.
All action will be live across the four days on Channel Seven and Fox Sports.
Schedule: (AEDT)
Practice 1: Thu 10:00 Practice 2: Thu 16:25 Practice 3: Fri 10:40 Practice 4: Fri 13:30 Qualifying: Fri 16:35 Practice 5: Sat 10:15 Practice 6: Sat 12:15 TTSO: Sat 17:05 Warm Up: Sun 9:10 Bathurst 1000: Sun 12:15