Tickford Racing is the latest Supercars team to announce its driver pairings for the upcoming Bathurst 1000.
Partnering Jack Le Brocq last year, James Moffat will co-drive Ford’s leading title contender Cameron Waters at the Mountain, while the returning Thomas Randle forms a strong team alongside veteran James Courtney.
The final seat alongside Le Brocq has been taken by the team’s Super2 driver Zak Best, who will make his Bathurst 1000 debut as Alex Premat has again been withdrawn due to international travel challenges.
Moffat has become a regular endurance driver to Tickford Racing and arguably partnering with Waters provides his best chance of emulating father Allan in winning Australia’s greatest motor race.
“Racing with Cam is obviously very exciting,” Moffat said.
“He’s certainly been one of the in-form drivers this year and seems to really have the car working well, which is great to see. We’ve shared the car a couple of times this year at test days and have worked things out, so we’re feeling comfortable and confident heading to Bathurst. And I won’t lie, it’s cool to put that Monster Energy cap on, too, so it’s great to be back and be racing with Cam.”
Randle won last year’s Super2 crown and has impressed in two Wildcard appearances so far this season, with another to come ahead of partnering Courtney at the Mountain.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to team up with JC in the Boost Mobile Mustang,” Randle said.
“Obviously he’s a former champion and a really strong racer, there’s certainly a lot I can learn from him so getting the chance to share the car with him is pretty special.
“I’ve had a really positive experience in my two Wildcard races thus far this season, and I’ll definitely carry that momentum and confidence into Bathurst, and I think we’ll be a very strong car come race day, I’m really looking forward to it.”
For Best, it will be a learning experience as he prepares to contest his first 1000.
“I’m obviously really excited to be stepping up to make my main game debut at Bathurst with Jack,” Best said.
“I’m still sort of pinching myself realising I’m going to race in the Bathurst 1000. We’ve had a pretty strong year in Super2 so far and I’m feeling really comfortable in the team, and I’m really thankful to the team for seeing that and giving me the opportunity.
“It’ll be a big week racing both in Super2 and the ‘1000,’ but I can’t wait for it.”
A disappointed Premat revealed personal and racing commitments in the US forced him to withdraw again.
“I was really looking forward to coming back to Bathurst this year, so I am sad to say I won’t be making the trip to race with Tickford in 2021,” Prémat said.
“Unfortunately, between commitments I have in the US and difficulties with travelling into Australia we couldn’t put things together and make it work, which is a shame, but I’ll be cheering on the team from home and hopefully next year I can finally come back to Bathurst!”