DAVID Russell completes Tickford Racing’s co-driver line-up for the 2018 Pirtek Enduro Cup.
The 36-year-old has been a regular in Nissan’s enduro line-up since 2011, but the switch to the Ford-mounted squad makes for a kind of homecoming.
“I’ve definitely had some success with the Blue Oval,” Russell said.
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“Right back to my first start even in what is now Super2. My first win at Bathurst in Supercars was in a Ford in the development series.
Funny enough, that car was built by FPR, which obviously is now Tickford Racing, and (Tickford Racing chief engineer) Nathaniel Osbourne was actually my engineer that weekend, so there’s some really nice alliances there and it will be great to work under him as well and bring our relationships full circle.”
Tickford was the winningest team across last year’s endurance season, claiming pole and the race win at the Sandown 500 and on the Saturday at the Gold Coast 600, along with winning the 2018 Enduro Cup title.
“Obviously it’s a fantastic opportunity to join Tickford Racing,” Russell added.
“It’s a great opportunity to join a group that’s getting their runs on the board and definitely have fast cars to do the job. The proof’s in the results the past few years and where the team’s at, so obviously it’s good to be a part of it.”
Tickford’s co-driver roster is now complete, with Russell joining recent signing James Moffat and existing guns for hire Dean Canto and Steve Owen, who both enter the second of two-year deals with the squad.
“We are very pleased to have David join our program,” team principal Tim Edwards said. “He’s another veteran to complement our main game line-up which is fairly young.
“Given his experience and knowledge it shouldn’t take him long to get up to speed, and he should be able to offer helpful insights to all our drivers.
“Obviously one of our main goals this season is to defend our Enduro Cup win, and David completes a line-up which we believe will give us four pairs of drivers capable of doing that. We’re looking forward to getting the season started, and hopefully we can enjoy more strong results.”
While none of the co-driver pairings have been announced, all four will join Tickford’s main game stars in driving at the official pre-season test day at Sydney Motorsport Park on Friday.
