Supercars heavyweight Tickford signs Porsche rising star

The 20-year-old is currently contesting his second season of Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge, this year driving for Jones Motorsport.

Lodge scored his maiden Supercars laps with Tickford’s Super2 team at the end of last year and will again get behind the wheel during its test at Winton today.

It’s just the start of an association with Tickford Autosport that is also set to include attending Super2 events and spending time at the team workshop.

“James is an incredible young talent, and we are really excited to welcome him to the Development Program and Tickford Autosport,” said team co-owner Rod Nash.

“Our team has done an incredible job over the years identifying talented athletes that work with the team in the hunt to become a full-time Supercars driver, and today’s announcement is no different to that.

“There is no doubt that James belongs in this program.

“As a homegrown talent, we see him going very far in the sport and we look forward to supporting his pursuit for a main game seat.”

Those to progress through Tickford’s ladder system into the Supercars main game include Chaz Mostert, Cam Waters and Thomas Randle.

Rylan Gray was the latest to step up this year, having inked a deal with Dick Johnson Racing amid a title-winning Super2 campaign with Tickford in 2025.

Although currently in the Porsche system, Lodge is making no secret of his desire to chase a career in Supercars.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to be able to work with such a high level team – arguably the top team in the Dunlop Series,” he said.

“The team’s success last year and throughout this year in the series has been outstanding, so to be able to learn as much as I can from those guys and also the main game boys, Tom, Cam and Frosty (Winterbottom), will be incredibly valuable for me in my development as a racing driver.

“I’m extremely grateful to everyone at Tickford. I’m super excited to get to work this year, continue learning and work towards building a future career as a Supercars driver.”

Lodge moved into Porsche racing last year following a runner-up finish in the 2024 GR Cup, where he was teammates with Nash’s son Charlie and current Walkinshaw junior Pip Casabene.