RANDLE ALL CLEAR TO RACE S5000

Thomas Randle to race S5000 – Photo: Supplied

Super2 driver Thomas Randle has been given the all-clear by doctors to race to participate in the opening round of the S5000 Championship as well as contest the second round of the second-tier Supercars series in Tasmania.

By DAN McCARTHY

After battling testicular cancer throughout the summer, Randle had to take blood tests after the Adelaide 500 to determine if he would have to undergo chemotherapy – which would have ruled out as a starter in the S5000 series at Albert Park.

However the 23-year-old was given the news he most wanted from his oncologist and looking forwards to the Australian Grand Prix weekend.

“My doc had made a booking for me to undergo chemo, and we’re both as happy as each other to be ringing up and cancelling that session,” Randle said after being given the good news by Professor Joseph McKendrick.

“It’s better to be cautious right now, and we’ll continue to monitor my blood levels, but for the moment, I couldn’t be more relieved.”

“Each blood test right now I have is like a hurdle, today I’ve been able to jump over it, and now I’m off running towards Albert Park, so that’s the best news I could have hoped for.”

Randle had success last year in an exhibition event at Tailem Bend last year in which he recorded a heat race win and finished second in the Feature Race.

In an extra bonus, Randle will partner former Ferrari Formula One driver, the 11 time Grand Prix winner Rubens Barrichello at Team BRM.

“I got to know Rubens last September when he was out here to race the S5000 at Sandown, and it was so cool that we hit it off straight away,” Randle said.

“He’s been a constant support throughout my struggles over the past month, I couldn’t be more thankful to him for always checking in.”

“It’s crazy to think that I first attended Albert Park as a 10-year-old back in 2006, Dad and I sat in the Fangio stand and I vividly remember watching Rubens, and now to go back there to race for the first time, with him as my teammate is awesome!”

Randle will join Barrichello, 2005 Australian Grand Prix winner Giancarlo Fisichella and Williams reserve driver Jack Aitken in a test at Winton Motor Raceway next Tuesday before the action begins at Albert Park on the Thursday.

“We run three races across the GP weekend, with the Feature Race on Sunday in what will be the biggest crowd I’ve ever raced in front of before, so it will be an exciting time,” Randle said.

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