Randle to make Sports Sedans return

The Precision National Sports Sedans sees a replenished 17-car grid head to The Bend’s west track following their opener in Tasmania, including a big Supercars entrant in Thomas Randle.

With some notable names absent, Peter Ingram’s Mazda RX7 took a clean-sweep to head up the pointscore early over Geoff Taunton and local driver Kim Barwick, with the NSW racer sounding a warning shot for the returnees.

After some disparity at Symmons Plains, Round 2 will also see a return to the category’s Hankook control tyre across the field, as well as some stellar new machinery.

Whilst 12-time champion Tony Ricciardello will still be absent owing to his legendary Alfa Romeo GTV still waiting on parts, another champion, Jordan Caruso, will be returning for the first time in ’24 in the John Gourlay-built Audi A4.

Thomas Randle’s new look SAAB.

The field will also welcome back Supercars driver Thomas Randle for the first time since his epic Wakefield Park clash with Ricciardello back in 2018.

Randle will drive a powerful SAAB 9-3 with 6L Chevrolet engine, and on the shorter 3.4 km track, will certainly be shaking up the front of the field.

“It’s fantastic to be getting the band back together and give the SAAB Sports Sedan a run this weekend at The Bend in the Precision National Sports Sedan series,” Randle said.

“I am thrilled to welcome Snowy River Caravans and BP onboard the #49 SAAB for the weekend, and continued support from Castrol, ACT Fence Hire and DeVilbiss.”

Randle said the chance to get more racing laps was an opportunity too good to miss this weekend.

“I always love racing this car and it’s great to keep up the racing miles and stay sharp while we have a couple of weeks break, in between the Perth and Darwin Supercars rounds,” he said.

“It’s such a fun time away racing with Dad and the guys (Adrian and Geoff) so here’s hoping we can have a solid weekend – albeit nice and early each morning!”

The other returning name that most Sports Sedans fans will be aware of is Tasmanian Brad Sheriff in a brand new weapon (not the Bathurst car) – a Nissan R34 GTR, a 6-cylinder turbo beast that is well-built and fast.

Also returning for another crack is Tasmanian Kim Barwick who finished third in Round 1, but this time he’ll be in a Skyline R32.

Matthew Ingram’s RX8, Steve Tamasi’s Calibra, and Steve Lacey’s new MARC GT SS, as well as Taunton’s GT SS, are all expected to be potential winners on the shorter track.

It’s a good spread from throughout the country, with the local SA field being short-on numbers due to unfortunate engine issues across the board from the recent state round.

“It’s great to go back to SA, in particular the west circuit which none of us have been on before,” category manager and racer Michael Robinson told Auto Action.

“It’ll make the racing closer and very entertaining with the calibre of machines we have, which will be great for the TV audience.

“We’re looking at one minute 10/15 second laps, which will make it tight. And having Thomas (Randle) there will raise the standard immensely with his professionalism and high standards.

“There’s about five or six cars that can win it, which is something this category has been working toward.”

The round will be a part of the Shannons SpeedSeries, with action getting underway on May 31-June 2, and will be televised live on 7plus.

Image: Rebecca Hind Revved Photography

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