Slade to show superman strength at Cairns Ironman
Just one month before competing in Townsville in a V8 Supercar, Tim Slade will tackle a race of a different kind in Northern Queensland.
The Supercheap Auto Racing driver will swap his Holden Commodore for tropical shore when he tackles the punishing Ironman 70.3 this Sunday in Cairns.
It will be his first major competition with a 1.9km swim, 90km ride, and 21.1km run this weekend -which will also serve as great fitness preparation for the Castrol Townsville 500 -Driven by TAFE Queensland North and the upcoming SKYCITY Triple Crown in Darwin.
"I'm really looking forward to the Cairns Ironman 70.3," Slade said.
"I've wanted to do something like this for a while, and I really enjoy my fitness training so it's great that it works with my schedule."
The Gold Coast resident, who enjoys fitness training outside of his V8 Supercar commitments, is aiming for a top eight finish in his 25-29 age group, and a time around the 4:30:00 mark.
"I train hard for V8 Supercars, so this is more indulging in my hobby," he said.
"However, like most racing drivers I'm highly competitive, and want to push myself hard against the best out there - so I'm hoping for a good time."
Slade - who has a strong chance of a maiden V8 Supercars race victory this year in the Supercheap Auto Commodore after a front-row grid slot in New Zealand and podium finish at Winton - is confident of a positive showing at the next round in Darwin, after a successful one-day test this week at Winton, in country Victoria.
"I'd love to be back on the podium in Darwin," Slade said.
"It's a place that I really enjoy, and I've had strong results there in the past.
"We've shown we have the speed at the last few weekends, but just haven't had the results to back it up. So I'm looking forward to bouncing back there."
For now, though, the 28-year old is going to concentrate on the surf, sun and sand in Cairns - and is confident of success on Sunday.
"The body's feeling good and I want to give it a decent crack," he said.
Tickets are available now for the Castrol Townsville 500 - Driven by TAFE Queensland North, with grandstand seating providing the best views at the track.
