Tickford enters rising stars for solo, enduro wildcards

Tickford Racing will expand in 2025 with a wildcard program for rising stars Lochie Dalton and Rylan Gray, who will share a Mustang in the Enduro Cup.

Rising Tickford Autosport juniors Dalton and Gray, who will vie for this year's Super2 Series title, will contest The Bend 500 and Repco Bathurst 1000 later this year in a third Tickford entry.

Before the enduros, Dalton and Gray will steer the Ford in solo events at the Perth Super 440 and betr Darwin Triple Crown respectively.

While Darwin will be teenager Gray's first Supercars start, Dalton will add to his 2024 Sydney cameo in a third Tickford entry.

Gray, who became the youngest driver to win a Super2 Series round last year, will turn 19 in November, and will be the youngest driver to start a Supercars race in 2025.

It's the first time Tickford will run a wildcard in the main game since 2022, when Zak Best contested the Darwin and Tailem Bend sprint rounds.

The Tickford entry takes the Enduro Cup field to 27 cars, with Triple Eight Race Engineering and Matt Stone Racing both fielding wildcards at The Bend and Bathurst.

Tickford CEO Simon Brookhouse said the wildcard program is the latest example the team’s commitment to developing the next generation of Supercars talent.

“Giving young drivers the opportunity to gain experience at the highest level is something we’re passionate about at Tickford Racing,” Brookhouse said.

"Lochie and Rylan have both shown great potential in Super2, and stepping up as wildcard entries in the main game is the perfect next step in their development.

"We saw what Lochie was capable of when he made his wildcard debut last year, and adding Rylan into the mix for 2025 makes this an even more exciting program.

"Competing in both Super2 and the enduros will be a massive challenge, but we believe in their talent and can’t wait to see what they can achieve.”

Dalton and Gray are both keen to make an impact on the main game, with Tickford to run multi-round wildcards for the first time since 2022.

"I'm keen for another crack at the main game, kicking things off in Perth before teaming up with Rylan for the enduro season,” Dalton said.

"I can’t thank the team enough for giving me and my little mate a shot in the big leagues. It’s going to be a huge challenge, but I’m ready to take it on.”

Gray added: "I’m stoked to be stepping up into the main game and to be teaming up with Lochie for the enduros.

"We’ve got a great relationship, and I’m looking forward to sharing a seat with him. It’s a massive opportunity, and I can’t wait to get stuck in."

Dalton and Gray will commence their 2025 Super2 campaigns at the upcoming Thrifty Sydney 500 - Opening Round on February 21-23.