BJR’s co-driver coup for Percat

Brad Jones Racing has pulled off a signing coup for this year’s PIRTEK Enduro Cup, securing the services of rising star Thomas Randle.

One of the sport’s brightest talents yet to graduate to the main game full-time, the 23-year-old will co-drive with Nick Percat in a strong pairing.

His feats last year included a Sandown 500 Supercars podium, as part of a run to third in the Enduro Cup standings alongside Lee Holdsworth at Tickford Racing.

Randle and Tickford parted ways for the 2020 Dunlop Super2 Series – the driver instead linking up with MW Motorsport – and have done so for Supercars endurance season too.

The Melburnian is excited to join forces with Percat, on the back of a career-best season for the #8 driver and 2011 Bathurst winner.

“I’m thrilled to be joining BJR as co-driver to Nick,” said Randle.

“It’s a very exciting time. I have to say a huge thanks to Brad and Kim (Jones, team owners) for the chance to be a part of their organisation.

“They’re a team with so much history in not only Supercars but in Australian motorsport.

“I feel that the experience of competing in my first Supercars enduro campaign, as well as making my wildcard debut at Tailem Bend last year, will put me in good stead for the upcoming season of endurance.

“I’ve known Nick for many years and are sure we are equally as hungry to get the results the team deserves.”

Randle is currently battling testicular cancer and will undergo chemotherapy treatment after the opening Super2 round at Adelaide this weekend but is expected to be fully fit by the OTR The Bend 500 in September.

The PIRTEK Enduro Cup was a rare lull in Percat’s 2019 campaign, with a 10th at Surfers Paradise his and co-driver Tim Blanchard’s best result across the four crucial distance races.

“I’m really excited to have Thomas alongside me for the Enduro Cup,” Percat said.

“He is fast and a proven race winner in Super2, an extremely motivated young driver who showed last year he can do a good job.

“He will be a great asset to the whole team.”

Blanchard is expected to remain part of the new-look BJR co-driver fleet for this season.

Endurance partners for the team’s other three primary drivers Todd Hazelwood, Macauley Jones and Jack Smith are yet to be announced.