Randle redeemed by podium after Tickford's heroic overnight repairs
Thomas Randle redeemed by podium after overnight repairs
Tickford Racing driver raced to first podium of 2026 on Sunday
Randle crashed out on Saturday after clash with Ryan Wood
Just hours after completing repairs on Thomas Randle's damaged Castrol Mustang, Tickford Racing was rewarded by their driver in the best possible way: with a trophy.
Randle surged through the chaos on Sunday to record his first podium of 2026, and his first in Melbourne. In fact, it was his first podium since the 2025 Tasmania opener back in May, snapping a drought of 30 races and 302 days.
Heading to the ITM NZ Doubleheader, Randle is just five points behind 10th placed Chaz Mostert, but could have been as high as seventh after losing a swag of points with the Saturday DNF.
Ryan Wood sent Randle into the Turn 5 barriers, with the Tickford driver out on the spot. Walkinshaw TWG Racing driver Wood took responsibility for the accident, and was penalised to the tune of 30 seconds over his role in the incident.
Delivering silverware to his hard-working crew on Sunday meant a great deal to Randle, whose mechanics were working on the damage towards midnight on Saturday night.
“It's really nice. Just wanted to get off the line well, and we did,” Randle said in victory lane.
“Will [Brown, pole-sitter] and I looked after each other, but I'm sure he would've said neither of us had anything for Brodie [Kostecki, race winner]. Brodie's just been on fire this weekend.
“Got to thank Tickford Racing. Last night there was a lot of damage to fix after that crash at Turn 5. I've got to thank all of them, all the boys and girls there.”
Randle's immediate bounceback came after a rethink in qualifying, which delivered the front row required to keep the #55 Castrol Ford away from trouble. Sure enough, chaos ensued at Turn 1, with teammate Cam Waters nearly involved in the accident that took out three cars.
The front row was exactly what Randle needed, having delivered qualifying results of ninth, seventh, ninth, 14th, 14th and 17th before he nailed second for the finale.
When asked in the press conference if it felt like a monkey off his back, Randle replied: "For sure.
"Qualifying this year's been tough for us. We had three top 10 qualifyings in Sydney, but it was always the back end of the 10. This weekend, qualifying has just been up and down.
"We tried something in the last qualifying on Saturday morning and it worked, we got a front row, which just made today's race a lot easier.
"Just a really great way to repay the whole team because it was a late night for the guys and girls last night after getting taken out at Turn 5 yesterday.
"When you have a crash, it's nice to get some laps under your belt when it's repaired. But today was like, start on the front row, [because] the last time you were in it, you're in the wall, so you've just got to get on with it.
"So yeah, to repay the team with the podium on on the Sunday is pretty special here."
The 2026 Repco Supercars Championship resumes across the Tasman, with the ITM NZ Doubleheader kicking off in Taupō on April 10-12. Tickets are on sale now.
