SLADE – BACK IN THE SADDLE
Tim Slade – Back in the saddle – Image: Supplied
Tim Slade’s return to full-time Supercars racing after a season away from the main game was not a decision that the 35-year- old made lightly.
By DAMION SMY
“I never said I was finished with Supercars at Newcastle 2019,” said Slade.
“As a driver, when you’re not currently in a full-time role, you’re always talking to people, but I don’t want to be a full-timer just for the sake it.”
Key to the CoolDrive deal was Slade’s long-time ally, James Rosenberg. “He’s been a massive supporter of mine for a very long time now, and I wouldn’t be in this position,” said Slade. “James has been one of the bigger supporters of mine since Day Dot.”
Barossa-based Rosenberg’s support has included Mitch Evans and Matt Stone Racing as well as fellow South Australian, Nick Percat. The Blanchards and Rosenberg have an existing relationship from Tim Blanchard’s time at Lucas Dumbrell Racing in 2014 and 2015.
“It’s very similar in that James is a successful businessperson from South Australia, you know family owned, quite [a] big business, no different to the Blanchards,” Slade explains.
“The two families have a great level of respect both on the business front and also the motor racing front. He’s pretty excited to be involved knowing what lies ahead.”
It’s a new beginning for Slade, who admits he felt fatigued when his previous full-time drive at BJR ended, and added that the COVID-affected 2020 has provided a fresh perspective.
“When I finished up at the end of last year [2019] … I was – I dunno, I guess maybe after being in the sport so long, doing the same thing and kind of achieving the same results – but the break has been really good for me.”
Heading into 2020, Slade was scheduled to race overseas in the Asian Le Mans Series, as well as the Bathurst 12-hour and the three-race Supercars Pirtek Enduro Cup.
In the end, he completed only two races: victory in the Asian Le Mans GT Series in February and the prized role of co-driver to Scott McLaughlin at the Bathurst 1000 in October, where the pair finished fifth.
“I think in a way it’s been a bit of a blessing that I’ve almost had to have a forced time away, and I feel like it’s just been a great reset. I feel really refreshed, I’ve learnt a lot from looking at it all from the outside,” Slade says.
“What I had lined up for this year [2020] I was really looking forward to, but I think that’s not really going to be viable or possible do in the future, with enduros being one race now, and then with a lot of the overseas stuff, it’s an unknown. You don’t know whether it’s going to be possible to go over and come back without quarantining and whatever else.”
Slade says that changes to the category to tighten the field made it more appealing as a driver, by giving smaller teams fresh opportunity
“There was a period there this year where I didn’t really miss Supercars at all,” Slade said.
“But I guess that kind of love came back, which I was hoping that it would after watching a few races.
“The technical changes in the category made it a lot more attractive to me. I think it just took away, over the past couple of years, whether it was the rule change with the springs, the rule change with the dampers and a few other bits and pieces there, and I think we showed that the category was lot closer.
“I think the good teams are still always going to be good, but that margin’s going to be less, and it give other teams the opportunity to achieve some good results when they nail everything and put in the hard work.
“That’s what excites me massively, knowing that we have all the right ingredients there to achieve that.”
Slade also says that while his time at DJR Team Penske was positive, it’s not a silver bullet to success at Team CoolDrive in 2021. “My experience with Penske [at Bathurst] was awesome as well. I definitely learnt a lot … It was awesome to do it with Scotty [McLaughlin] as well who’s a good mate. It was cool, it was really enjoyable and a good bunch of lads to work with.
“I feel as though you never stop learning, and as funny as it sounds, I feel as though I’ve learnt probably the most I have in my career in the last 12 to 18 months.
“I genuinely believe I can bring a lot to the Blanchard Racing Team, more than just driving, having spent 11, 12 years in the sport and you know, being in a few different teams. It’s been a great re-set for me, I’m refreshed, ready to go and know how we have to go about it to achieve the best results that we possibly can.”
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