Drivers pay tribute to 'hard fair racer' Slade

A host of local and international racing stars have paid tribute to Tim Slade, who announced his full-time Supercars retirement on Thursday.

The 39-year-old will hang up the helmet after the VAILO Adelaide 500 in November.

Slade, who joined PremiAir Nulon Racing last year, is set to end the year on 451 Supercars race starts, leaving him 18th on the all-time starts leaderboard.

The South Australian-born driver posted his announcement to social media on Thursday evening, leading to an outpouring of messages and tributes to who Lee Holdsworth described as a "hard fair racer."

Current rivals James Courtney, David Reynolds, Jaxon Evans, Aaron Love, Todd Hazelwood and Thomas Randle were among the well-wishers.

Reynolds, who has raced Slade since 2009, said: "You are a legend mate. Be proud of everything you have achieved in our sport. It's very hard to make it to this level and even harder to be here for 15 years. The sladedog will live on at every Gala, might even be an award one day."

Courtney, who is set to retire after 2025, added: "It's been a blast banging doors mate."

Slade will make his 16th Bathurst start next month, with former co-drivers Scott McLaughlin, Jack Perkins, Tony D'Alberto and Ash Walsh also paying tribute to their mate.

McLaughlin, who raced with Slade at the 2020 Bathurst 1000 and delivered his best result of fifth, said: "Good on ya Slade dog, enjoy the pension."

Walsh, who was Slade's Brad Jones Racing co-driver between 2016 and 2019, added: "Well done mate, it was a pleasure racing with you."

Veteran racers Rick Kelly, Steven Richards, David Brabham, Dale Wood, Jason Bright, along with IndyCar star Will Power, also hailed Slade's career.

Brabham, who was a Stone Brothers Racing co-driver during Slade's time at the Ford team, said: "It was a real pleasure watching you race and even more so being your teammate. Be proud of what you achieved, but as one chapter closes, another will open. Take a bow mate."

Bright, Slade's BJR teammate between 2016 and 2019, said: "Congrats mate was a pleasure to be your team mate and swapping paint when we weren't team mates."

Two-time IndyCar champion and 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner Power said: "Great career mate. Congrats and enjoy your retirement! Not many people get to spend that much time at the top level."

Slade will line-up alongside rookie Cameron McLeod at the Repco Bathurst 1000 on October 10-13. Tickets are on sale now.