Tickford announces surprise Supercars wildcard
TICKFORD Racing will field a third Gen3 Mustang Supercar at next month’s Sydney SuperNight to facilitate a main game debut for Lochie Dalton.
The Tasmanian entered the Tickford fold in the off-season after last year taking a maiden Super2 round podium for Brad Jones Racing and finishing 2023 Trans Am runner-up for Garry Rogers Motorsport.
Dalton is part of a three-car Tickford Super2 program this year and is eighth in the standings after two rounds.
“I am over the moon to be making my Supercars main game debut at Sydney, it is a dream come true for myself, my family and my supporters/partners,” said Dalton.
“I can’t wait to see where I rank against the best in Australia and what lessons I take away to come back and be better. It will also be great to have a Tasmanian back on the Supercars stage.”
Tickford has two spare Gen3 Mustangs in its possession: the chassis which Cam Waters and James Courtney drove last year. It sold its 2023 Declan Fraser car to the Blanchard Racing as part of a streamlining.
“We have always been a team that has blooded drivers and been able to elevate them on a consistent basis,” said team co-owner Rod Nash.
“We’ve shown we’re a team that has a repeat level of success and now as a focused two car main game operation, we haven’t lost sight of our development. We’ve actually placed a larger lens on this, with three cars running this year in Super2.”
Tickford CEO Simon Brookhouse added: “It’s great to see that our pathway for young talent through our Tickford Autosport program, can provide the opportunity to benchmark their skill set and gain valuable experience in the top level.
“To start Lochie’s preparation, we’ve brought him to Darwin to be with our main game and be part of the group.
“Sitting in the pre- and de-briefs with our engineers and both Cam and Tom (Randle). This will hopefully have him in great shape for his main game debut.”
Dalton will be the second solo wildcard entrant of the season, following Cooper Murray who is driving for Triple Eight this weekend at the Darwin Triple Crown.
