Randle thrilled with confirmed 2022 Tickford drive
Thomas Randle has branded his confirmed full-time drive with Tickford Racing as "absolutely phenomenal”.
Randle was confirmed for the 2022 season just hours after Tickford was revealed to have made a successful bid for one of the two benched Racing Entitlements Contracts (REC).
It marks the next step in the journey for Randle, who began his Supercars career with Tickford Racing with an impressive Dunlop Super2 Series campaign in 2018.
Randle, who won last year’s Super2 crown, made his main game Supercars debut as a wildcard entry in 2019, before combining with Lee Holdsworth to claim a Sandown 500 podium.
WATCH: RANDLE REACTS TO 2022 DRIVE
The 25-year-old also overcame an 18-month battle with testicular cancer earlier this year.
"I reckon if you said that 20 times it still wouldn’t sink in, but it’s just absolutely phenomenal," said Randle, who will feature on next season's 25-car grid.
"I have so many people to thank: firstly the team at Tickford Racing for trusting me to drive one of their cars next year full-time, my family, my supporters through thick and thin.
"It’s been a tough ride, not just on-track but off-track as well, I mean it was only six months ago I was finishing my [cancer] treatment. So saying six months later that I’m a full-time driver in 2022 is pretty amazing."
Randle is currently in Darwin competing in his second of three wildcard events in 2021.
WATCH: EDWARDS DISCUSSES RANDLE JOURNEY
He will also make a third Bathurst 1000 start in October, and second with Tickford.
"The hardest step is always this one, and to be representing some amazing brands in Tickford and Ford, the team’s supporters and members, I’ll do my best to make them proud," he continued.
"I always said I wanted to get there on merit, and I guess there’s no better way to do that than on a race weekend when I get to drive a Supercar!
"Obviously the main focus is getting through this weekend and then Perth [as a wildcard] before Bathurst, and then full focus on a full-time campaign next year.
"It just feels pretty cool saying it."
WATCH: RANDLE 'THE PERFECT CHOICE'
Tickford CEO Tim Edwards was delighted to welcome Randle to the team’s main game ranks.
"From the day we signed Thomas to our Super2 team for 2018 the goal has always been to get him into our main game program, so to have him stepping up with us in 2022 is extremely rewarding," Edwards said.
"It’s absolutely a testament to Thomas’ ability and work ethic, but also to the development program we have within the team.
"Thomas has obviously been very impressive and has been an excellent ambassador for the team and our partners, and we cannot wait to hit the track with him full-time next year."
Randle will make his full-time debut on the streets of Newcastle, which will kick off the 2022 Supercars campaign early next year.
