Courtney's mentor aspiration with Tickford young guns

James Courtney intends to use his 17 years of Supercars experience to help Tickford Racing wildcard Thomas Randle navigate his maiden full-time season.

The team confirmed Monday that Randle will combine with Courtney for the 2021 Repco Bathurst 1000.

It comes after Courtney signed a multi-year contract extension with Tickford Racing earlier this month, tying him to the team for 2022 and beyond.

Next season will see Tickford expand to a four-car squad, with three drivers confirmed for 2022.

Jake Kostecki will shift to the team from Matt Stone Racing, with Randle also set for his full season main game debut in 2022. 

Cameron Waters has yet to confirm his new deal but is largely expected to remain with the team for at least a seventh straight full-time season.

The 2022 season will be Courtney’s 17th full-time Supercars campaign; he is the oldest active full-time driver at 41 years of age.

While eager to get results of his own, the 2010 champion is taking it upon himself to guide the younger drivers in his team.

"My role is to not let them make the same mistakes I did," Courtney told Supercars.com.

"You know, I see them about to run into a pole that I ran into once, I think I can guide them around it sort of thing.

Courtney to stay with Tickford for 2022 and beyond

"It's been such an eye-opening experience, it's a weird thing to say that they're [Tickford] actually a team, because you know so many teams that are really different sides of the garage against each other.

"To me it's definitely a team in that whether it’s Cam winning or Jack [Le Brocq] has a great result and wins like last year, I am genuinely happy for everyone else within the team.

"I suppose it comes back to my role and my position in the whole big scheme of this crazy sport now.

"I’m so much more experienced now, that I can actually be happy and work really closely with someone else, whether it be Cam or Jack, and see them get results and be happy for them.

"Obviously I’d be much happier if it was me winning every weekend so it's a different role, but I'm loving it."

Randle will co-drive with Courtney at Bathurst in December

Randle has impressed in his Castrol-backed Tickford wildcard entry this season, recording two top 10 results in Tailem Bend and Darwin.

He was unable to complete his third wildcard appearance after the Perth and Phillip Island rounds were cancelled due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Randle’s 2022 campaign will begin in Newcastle, which was recently confirmed as the host venue of the 2022 season opener.

Randle completed two Super2 events at the circuit in 2018 and 2019, notably claiming the Saturday pole in 2019 before recording two podiums.

Courtney says he is keen to watch the progression of Randle, who also competed in the British Formula 3 Championship in 2016.

"Thomas went and raced in Europe as I did, so we have a similar sort of career progression," Courtney said. 

Tickford will expand to a four-car operation in 2022

"Tom loves to chat, there's no one I've ever met in my whole racing career that chats like he does, his words per minute are phenomenal!

"Thomas is pretty good; his future is bright and exciting.

"He's had a really tough last few years as well and he's got a really good outlook on everything.

"He's very enthusiastic, he is grateful for the position that he's in and he's a good talent.

"Tom’s a good guy to have around, he's a great fit into our little group, and whether it be on wildcard weekends that he's raced at previously or next year, it's a seamless fit for him."

Courtney is ninth in the 2021 standings, the second highest-placed Tickford driver behind third-placed teammate Waters.

The 2021 Supercars field will return Sydney Motorsport Park on October 29 for the Bunnings Trade Sydney SuperNight.

Sydney Motorsport Park will host four straight events. Tickets for all events are on sale now.