Randle shares 'surprising' email from David Coulthard
02 Oct 2021
Thomas Randle said he was "surprised" to receive a meaningful email from Formula One legend David Coulthard.
The trophy recognises a driver who has displayed the courage and sportsmanship epitomised by Ireland, who raced during the 1950s and 60s.
Randle was recognised following his racing comeback and 2020 Dunlop Super2 Series title win following his testicular cancer diagnosis in January.
He shared the award with Dr. Ian Roberts, F1’s Rescue Coordinator who helped Haas driver Romain Grosjean escape his terrifying Bahrain accident last November.
In a Zoom chat on Thursday, Randle shared the trophy and the email he received from British Racing Drivers Club president Coulthard.
"This is called the Innes Island Trophy,” Randle told Supercars.com.
"This is an email from David Coulthard, who is the President of the BDRC.
"There's an award that goes out every year, which is called the Innes Island Trophy, and that's awarded to a driver who displays courage, or best display courage and resilience in their championship year.
"I’m quite honoured, considering it's not something you can vote for.
"It's just awarded, or it's voted on, from the people that are on the board at the BRDC so that was quite a surprise when I saw I had an email from David Coulthard in my inbox."
Randle was eligible for the award after joining the BRDC in 2016 when he competed in the British Formula 3 Championship.
He placed fourth overall with two wins, six podiums, and one pole position.
"It’s something I'll cherish for a while and there's a nice little plaque that came with it," Randle said about the prestigious trophy.
Randle overcame cancer and returned to the main game at The Bend
"It’s something that I’m pretty honoured to receive, and it hangs up quite nicely at the entry of Dream Simulation and it's something I definitely didn't steal either."
Randle will make the step up to the Repco Supercars Championship in 2022 with Tickford Racing.
The former Mike Kable Young Gun Award winner has impressed in his wildcard entry this season, recording two top 10 results in Tailem Bend and Darwin.
He will return with Tickford as a co-driver for this year's Repco Bathurst 1000.
The door also remains ajar for Randle to compete as a wildcard entry at Sydney Motorsport Park, which will host four rounds from October 29.
