Thomas Randle is hoping to make a big impact when the Supercars hit the top end for one of their most popular weekends of the season.
The 26-year-old has had to contend with a frustrating opening to his full-time campaign in the championship, but he feels a good result is imminent – as soon as this coming weekend at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway.
“I know our results on paper haven’t been great – but internally I feel like we as a team have been improving each weekend since Albert Park,” Randle said.
“We were on the edge of the top ten across the Winton weekend – and I feel after our great run as a wildcard last year at Hidden Valley, we can be really aiming for some great results.
“It’s one of the big events we have and it’s always a huge crowd. I loved the place last year – so let’s hope we can have a slice of luck and have a great run.”
Randle and his four-car Tickford team tested last week at Winton to be best prepared for the trip to the Northern Territory.
It’s left him as confident in he’s been all season long.
“We’re getting there – slowly but surely, it’s been a struggle but we’re having the best time working our backsides off to make this a success,” Randle said.
“You saw at Winton the results improved – we were 12th on the Saturday, and 12th in the final race on Sunday.
“I feel like we have been knocking on the door of the top ten and hopefully in Darwin we can crack into it.
After five rounds Randle sits 19th in the championship standings.
“It’s nice to go back to a track where I have had experience in a Supercar, and I’ll be giving it my all,” Randle said.
”I need to improve my qualifying – that’s something we’ve been really working on – this game is just so competitive that you have to give yourself the best shot by starting higher up the grid in the races.
“As always I’d like to thank Castrol and BP for believing in me, plus Herzog Steel, ACT Fence Hire and Infinium Advisory – I’d love to deliver a great result for them.”
Opening practice from Darwin’s Hidden Valley begins on Friday ahead of three races across the weekend.
All of the action is live on Network Seven and Fox Sports.
Schedule: (Times in ACST*) Practice 1 - Fri 10:50 Practice 2 - Fri 14:05 Three Part Qualifying Race 16 - Sat 11:45 Race 16 (38 Laps) – Sat 15:25 Qualifying Race 17 – Sun 8:35 Qualifying Race 18 – Sun 8:50 Race 17 (38 Laps) – Sun 11:55 Race 18 (38 Laps): Sun 15:25