Slade Excited About The Future

Tim Slade lastly settled his future within the construct as much as his dwelling race, the Increase Cell Gold Coast 500, and is hoping to harness these constructive feelings to finish 2022 on a excessive.

Regardless of being on monitor to present the crew a prime 10 championship end in simply its second 12 months, Slade found previous to the Bathurst 1000 he had lost his seat at Blanchard Racing with Todd Hazelwood coming in for 2023.

Issues solely obtained worse for the #3 Ford GT Mustang as incidents and points dominated a tricky weekend, which concluded with a P19 end in The Nice Race and pushed the entry right down to eleventh within the championship.

However some excellent news arrived final week when it was introduced Slade’s subsequent chapter will happen at PremiAir Racing the place the 37-year-old will act because the skilled head within the inexperienced crew.

Tim Slade will hand over the keys of the Blanchard Racing Ford GT Mustang to Todd Hazelwood subsequent 12 months. Picture by Mark Horsburgh

It will likely be his eighth camp change of his profession, however he feels it could possibly be one in all his happiest as he’ll race for a crew situated in his dwelling city.

“It has been good to lastly announce my transfer to PremiAir Racing in 2023,” he mentioned.

“Having a crew that’s primarily based right here on the Gold Coast will probably be cool as a result of it is just 20 minutes away from dwelling and so they have some good issues occurring.

“Gen3 is thrilling as properly, however the quick focus is to complete this 12 months as greatest as attainable.”

The Supercars grid will probably be lining up on the streets of Surfers Paradise for the primary time in three years and lots of have missed it.

Tim Slade has developed a liking for the streets of Surfers Paradise since his first race there in 2009. Picture: Mark Horsburgh/LAT Photographic

Particularly Slade, who’s wanting ahead to managing the taxing nature of a race weekend from the comforts of his own residence and will probably be swapping 4 wheels for 2 infrequently.

“I’m pumped to be again racing on the Gold Coast as a result of it’s a mega occasion and it’s positively in direction of the highest of the favourites listing,” he mentioned.

“I solely reside round 10km away so it’s at all times good to experience the bike out and in and sleep in your individual mattress.”

Slade has loved some success on the streets of Surfers Paradise with the 2014 weekend significantly memorable.

Driving a Walkinshaw Holden VF Commodore alongside Tony D’Alberto, Slade was on fireplace throughout the weekend ending third and fourth within the gruelling 300km enduros.

He returned to the rostrum within the moist 2017 occasion with super-sub Andre Heimgartner, whereas he has additionally featured within the prime 10 on 4 different events.

Tim Slade walked on water to say a surfboard on the 2017 Gold Coast 600 for BJR. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/LAT Pictures
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Slade mentioned the two.96km bullring type avenue circuit provides an ideal problem for the drivers with loads of overtaking alternatives, however little margin for error.

“What makes the occasion so particular is the ambiance with everybody having an superior time, however from a driver’s perspective the monitor is superior enjoyable,” he mentioned.

“It at all times produces good racing and one thing to sit up for which is a bit completely different from regular is single driver races which goes to be fairly gruelling.”

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