CoolDrive Racing Launches New Supercars Team for 2021
14 Dec, 2020
The 2021 Supercars season will see a new team on the grid, with Tim Slade set to drive for the newly formed CoolDrive Auto Parts-backed Blanchard Racing Team (BRT), which will be based in a state-of-the-art facility at CoolDrive’s head office in Melbourne.
The outfit will utilise a proven race-winning package in the form of a Tickford Racing-built Ford Mustang adorned with the number “3”, with Tickford also providing the car’s power plant.
“I am super happy to be joining the Blanchard Racing Team. The fit is perfect for me and I’m genuinely excited and proud to not only represent BRT but also the Blanchard family and the CoolDrive business,” said Tim Slade.
“Having worked in the Acacia Ridge and Eagle Farm branches this year for a few months during the COVID period, I know how much the CoolDrive racing program means to the staff.
“To have the race team workshop inside of the CoolDrive headquarters in Melbourne is really cool and gives the staff something that no other sponsor of the sport currently provides.
“Tim [Blanchard] has done a really great job of putting it all together and I can honestly say we have all of the right ingredients to achieve some good things.
“Supercars is an extremely competitive and tough category, so we’re under no illusions that it’s going to be easy, but in saying that, I’m excited to show everyone what we’ll be capable of.
“I'm also very fortunate to have the continued support from long-time supporter James Rosenberg. James has become a great friend over the years and I look forward to having him around the team again just like the old JRR SBR days.”
Slade has enjoyed a distinguished career in Supercars competition dating back to 2009, which culminated last year when he paired with Supercars Championship winner Scott McLaughlin at the Bathurst 1000.
To date, Slade has amassed a total of 334 Supercars race starts, two wins, 17 podium places and two pole positions, with his resume also including a pair of World Time Attack Challenge victories, and a second-place finish in the Australian Formula Ford Championship.
His best overall Supercars Championship result to date is fifth.
“For CoolDrive Auto Parts and the entire Blanchard family, this announcement is the result of a long-term commitment to Supercars racing, and is very exciting for all involved,” said Tim Blanchard, Co-Principal of BRT.
“We joined with Brad Jones Racing in 2016 in a customer relationship, it was a good run over those years, we learned a lot, but now it is time for us to stand on our own two feet.
“Our long term vision by investing in a Racing Entitlements Contract was to one day control our own destiny, with Supercars still providing the perfect platform to promote our core automotive business.
“We’re investing strongly in this project with high-quality equipment, a top-line facility, and very skilled people.
“We also thought it fitting to rename the outfit to Blanchard Racing Team to appropriately reflect the entire Blanchard family’s involvement in the team, and passion and commitment to the sport. Motorsport is who we are, it’s in our family’s DNA.
“Tim is a great asset for the team, he brings a lot of experience and speed, which is important for a single-car outfit. I have known him for a very long time, and have a lot of respect for his ability.
“I can’t wait for the 2021 season to get started.”
Blanchard Racing Team has also secured the services of Brendan Hogan, who has been appointed to the position of Team Manager.
Hogan comes to the team from Tickford Racing, where he was most recently the race engineer for James Courtney and Will Davison.
CoolDrive Auto Parts is a 100 per cent Australian family-owned business, employing over 550 people at 35 branches across Australia and New Zealand.
CoolDrive has forged a reputation as a leader in the automotive aftermarket with a diverse line up of leading global brands, as well as the Jayair, Jayrad and Jaylec, HULK 4x4, Aunger and Ignite range of products representing CoolDrive’s own brands of quality air conditioning, radiator, electrical and lighting products.
The 12-round 2021 Supercars season kicks off at Mount Panorama Bathurst with a new 500km, single-driver event from February 26-28, and concludes on the streets of Surfers Paradise from December 3-5.
