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RANDLE CONFIRMED AS FINAL TICKFORD CO-DRIVER

Thomas Randle locked in for enduros - Photo: InSyde Media

By Bruce Williams

Thomas Randle locked in for enduros - Photo: InSyde Media

Thomas Randle locked in for enduros – Photo: InSyde Media

Super2 driver Thomas Randle has been confirmed as Lee Holdsworth’s co-driver in the #5 Tickford Racing Ford Mustang for the 2019 Pirtek Enduro Cup.

By DAN McCARTHY

The 23-year-old Victorian made his Supercars debut at The Bend Motorsport Park on the weekend as a wildcard, recording two solid 17th place results and was thankful for the upcoming co-drive opportunity Tickford have offered him.

“I’ve got to thank the team for believing in me and giving me the opportunity, hopefully I can do them proud” he told Auto Action.

“It is going to be a different experience going from Super2 to racing for a team and a well-known brand in the name of Bottle-O and I can’t wait to get it underway.”

The Mike Kable Young Gun award winner is really looking forward to partnering with his mate Holdsworth.

“I’m really excited to be partnering with Lee, I’ve only known him a short time but I feel like I’ve known him forever to be honest” Randle told Auto Action.

“We get on like a house on fire, we bounce off each other’s positive energy.”

Thomas Randle wildcard entry at The Bend - Photo: InSyde Media

Thomas Randle wildcard entry at The Bend – Photo: InSyde Media

Randle told AA at The Bend that he ran the same ergonomic setup as Holdsworth in preparation for the endurance season.

“I’m pretty much running his ergonomic setup, his pedal position, seating position, I’m running my insert but with actual seat brackets,” Randle explained.

“I’m running all of that to try and familiarise myself with the positions going into Bathurst and so far it seems pretty good.”

The Super2 race winner feels that this and the experience he has had in the #5 Mustang have helped him gain confidence.

“I’ve driven the Bottle-O car a couple of times now in the additional co-driver sessions and some ride days, I feel pretty confident,” he told AA.

All co-drivers have a difficult task in 2019 as they will be thrown straight into the Bathurst 1000, but Randle is looking forward to the challenge.

“I guess it is good that I’ve raced there before. Especially this year it will be a case of who makes the least mistakes, even if it is small little hiccups along the way, normally Bathurst is a race you don’t win you lose,” he said.

“Just got to minimise the mistakes and I just have to remember that I’m racing for Lee and for a team, do my part as fast as I can and do the job I’m asked for and bring the car home in one piece.”

The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 kicks off the 2019 Enduro Cup, October 10-13, followed by the Gold Coast 600 (October 25-27) and the Sandown 500 (November 8-10).

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