Randle on the rise
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 25 July 2024
Thomas Randle has been a quiet achiever throughout 2024 and his progression was there for all to see when he stood on the podium for the first time this year, at SMP on Saturday night.
Randle has progressed forward in all three of his Supercars seasons and the Sydney success has pushed him up to seventh in the standings.
Having struggled in his rookie season of 2022 finishing 23rd, he rose to 13th last year with four podiums in South Australia.
Whilst silverware had been lacking in 2024 until Sydney, the pace was there with the #55 finishing in the top five five times before Saturday’s breakthrough.
Despite being beaten on strategy by Chaz Mostert and Matt Payne forcing him to settle for third, Randle impressed in the first stint, leading the first 16 laps before pitting.
The Tickford driver believed second could have been possible if he didn’t have to hold for Ryan Wood in the pits.
But with a previous SMP best of 14th, he was delighted to get a trophy, while he fought from 18th to 10th on Sunday after “grabbing both pedals” at Turn 4 in qualifying.
“To get our first podium of the year is really nice,” Randle said.
“We just missed the podium a few times in Townsville.
“It has been a big step from where I was (at Sydney) 12 months ago, battling towards the back.
“The car was mega in qualifying and at this track if you have good car speed it helps so much around these long corners.
“Just missed out on the pole but cool for the team to have a front row lock out and the car was really good in that first stint.
“We had a little bit of fuel in hand but then in the second stop where there was a little bit of confusion in the lane and probably should have gone in front of Ryan (Wood) but its alright
“I didn’t want to get a penalty. (Sunday) Qualifying was my fault but it is days like this you need to bank good points which is great.
“I am now seventh in the championship and if I wind back the clock 12 months I was 18th so it has been a big turnaround.”
When asked what has changed, Randle said it was not just one thing.
“It is a combination of things,” Randle replied.
“I have certainly learnt a lot more about the tyre and there are so many elements.
“One-lap speed is so important and that really helps setup the race and then bringing that tyre in is so crucial for tyre life.
“The team going to two cars has really helped focus in on us two drivers and Cam and I work really well together.
“We both want the best for each other and I think we are seeing this now.”
Image: Mark Horsburgh
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