Randle backs Bathurst 1000 tyre change

Thomas Randle believes the Dunlop Hard tyre will make for a more action-packed Repco Bathurst 1000, after the 2023 race was affected by degradation and rubber build-up.

The 2024 event will be held on the dry Hard compound, which was used at the season-opening Thrifty Bathurst 500.

Last year’s race was held on the Soft tyre, leading to higher degradation, marbles off the racing line, and tyre management.

Notably, eventual race winner Shane van Gisbergen was nearly undone by a "football" sized build-up clump that nearly sent him into the wall at the Cutting.

"I think everyone would agree that the Hard tyre is the preferred option, especially for such a long race like that,” Randle told Supercars.com.

“Obviously, it should make for less deg than the Soft tyre. But also last year with the Soft, there was so much rubber built up offline that it meant you couldn't really drive anywhere else on the track, because it was like a single file line.

"I think it's a good thing that on the Hard tyre, it's going to be interesting, there should be much more racing. There are so many elements to that race.

"In terms from for racing, should you want to try and pass people, in theory it should make it easier because you're not risking going offline in all the crap.”

Teams will also have access to an intermediate ‘hard-wet’ wet tyre for the race only, with the hard-wet the older specification wet compound which was used before a new softer compound was introduced in 2023.

At present, weather conditions are forecast to be fine and sunny for all four days of the October 10-13 event. Tickets are on sale now.

Regardless, Randle suggested it will be open slather for the race, adding: "Bathurst is a unique race, I wouldn't be the first person to tell you that and I certainly won't be the last.

"I've been watching a heck of a lot of old Bathursts as I normally do it this time of year, and as cliche as it is, anything can happen.

“There’s obviously a massive lead-up to that event and as long as you're there at the end, you can have a crack, the race just gets faster and faster every year.

“It's going to be interesting to see how the strategy plays out, in terms of fuel saving, stint lengths, and the fact that the main driver has to start.

“It will make it interesting from a strategy point of view to see what people do with their co-drivers.”