Reuben Goodall determined to get Thomas Randle into Finals
Randle in the midst of a five-way scrap for 10th in points
Rising star Goodall to make Bathurst debut next month
Rookie Tickford co-driver Reuben Goodall has vowed to lift to the pressure of Thomas Randle's last gasp Finals mission at the Repco Bathurst 1000.
Goodall put in a commendable performance at the AirTouch 500 at The Bend in trying conditions, running second to an unstoppable Tim Slade before a deluge brought out the first Safety Car of the day.
Being turned around by Scott Pye on his in lap was an unfortunate end to what was an otherwise solid showing in his first enduro start, Randle bringing the #55 Mustang home 12th on road.
However, that became 11th when Finals rival James Golding was disqualified having not hit his minimum driving requirement. Staring down the barrel of a whopping 168-point buffer, Randle now sits 63 points behind, easily achievable with 300 on offer.
It's big pressure on the shoulders of Goodall, who will line up for his first ever Bathurst start. However, the 22-year-old isn't prepared to say they're best placed to break into the bubble, despite Tickford being two-time Bathurst winners.
"I mean we're not best placed, because we're not 10th, but there's definitely still the possibility," Goodall told Supercars.com.
"It's just the thing about Bathurst, it's such a long race and absolutely anything can happen, especially with only 63 points to find to get Thomas into the 10.
"We saw last year, it could be wet, it could be dry, obviously we don't know yet. In a way The Bend was actually really good preparation in that way, as well as getting another race under my belt and ironing out a few little things.
"In a way it's a shame that we gained all those points not due to good performance, but due to other's misfortunes, but that's the way it goes sometimes."
Randle looked to be almost out of the equation entirely when he missed the final race in Darwin, sitting 230 points adrift of the bubble, however he and Tickford have both surged back into strong form.
Tickford landing in form has come at a great time for Goodall, who entered the enduros off the back of a lonhg-awaited first Super2 race win in Perth.
For Goodall, who made his debut as a solo wildcard in Townsville with Tickford, the situations he has found himself in both at The Bend and heading into Bathurst have served as not only learning opportunities, but chances to show off his wares for a full-time seat in 2027, with the driver market yet to kick into gear.
"It really seems to be throwing me all the hard ones for my first enduros. First it's the worst conditions I've ever driven in, aquaplaning at 250kph at The Bend, and then you've got the Finals pressure at Bathurst," added Goodall.
"The pressure is great though, it's something to fight for and a clear target now. It was always the goal coming into enduros, but now it's so close, and obviously if I can help Thomas out and get into Finals it won't hurt my profile either.
"Obviously the best solution is to win the race, but the best thing I can do for the team is a solid job to repay the faith they've shown in me this year.
"As much as it would be a dream to win the race, I don't want to put any expectations on myself to go out and do that. I want to prove that I can not only think about one race, but also a whole championship, I think that will help my chances for going full-time next year.
"All I want to do is just keep it clean, and give it back to Thomas where he can go and wrap up Finals on lap 161. Hopefully it's in a position where I'll be chewing off my fingernails in the garage."
Track action in Bathurst commences on Thursday October 8.
