Tickford Racing has confirmed the renewal of its agreements with Chaz Mostert and his Falcon’s major sponsor, Supercheap Auto.
The new deal ties both to the Ford squad for at least two more campaigns, the upcoming season and 2019, and will take Mostert into a ninth season with Tickford.
“I am fully pumped to keep the consistency going,” said the 25-year-old.
“I have been at the team for quite a few years now and I honestly feel they are one of the top outfits so it is definitely the place I want to be.
“They’ve shown their loyalty to me in the early years and we’ll use the next few seasons to build on and achieve bigger and better things like going for Bathurst wins and championships.
“It is also great to have Supercheap Auto staying with me as we’ve built up a very close relationship and enjoyed a fair bit of success together.
“There’s plenty more to come and I am glad they are along for the ride.”
The announcement formalises Tickford’s highly enviable four-car line-up for 2018 of Mostert, team stalwart Mark Winterbottom, Cameron Waters, and new full-time signing Richie Stanaway.
“We are delighted to be continuing with Chaz and Supercheap Auto until at least the end of 2019 as it locks in a key part of our structure and provides everyone in the team with a lot of confidence,” said Team Principal Tim Edwards.
“Chaz’s colleagues enjoy working with him, as do our commercial partners, and he is adored by members and fans alike so we know this news will be welcomed by all.
“Chaz has enjoyed a strong level of success since entering the category but I think the thing that has made him a true star of our sport is the way he has rebuilt himself since his accident.
“Those moments are always a crossroads and while it was a very tough time, I believe the experience has made him a better driver and a more mature person.”
Mostert linked up with the outfit then known as Ford Performance Racing late in the 2011 Dunlop Super2 Series and spent his first full year with FPR in 2012, finishing third in one of the second-tier series’ most competitive seasons ever.
He commenced the 2013 Super2 Series with MW Motorsport before being loaned to Dick Johnson Racing, taking his first Virgin Australia Supercars Championship race win at Queensland Raceway.
Replacing Will Davison in 2014, Mostert won for FPR at the top level for the first time at Barbagallo and then came from last on the grid to take victory in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 with Paul Morris.
In 2015, the Melbourne-born driver was a red-hot chance to win the championship before a horror crash during qualifying at Bathurst which ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Mostert returned at Adelaide the following year but went winless until this year’s non-championship Australian Grand Prix event.
Since then, he has taken three race wins and hoisted the Pirtek Enduro Cup with Steve Owen, achieving a personal best championship finish of fifth in his first year back with Adam De Borre as engineer.
Supercheap Auto moved to the then-named Prodrive Racing Australia in 2016, coinciding with Mostert’s shift to the #55 entry which meant he would not have to share a pit boom with Winterbottom.
“Since partnering with Chaz and Tickford Racing we’ve enjoyed a return to the front of the grid which has been great to see as everyone at Supercheap Auto is a motorsport fan and it’s been enjoyable to have race wins and regular podiums,” said Supercheap Auto Managing Director Chris Wilesmith.
“But perhaps the greatest success has been the strength of our partnership away from the track.
“Chaz has become a big part of the Supercheap Auto family and we’ve enjoyed working closely with him and everyone at the team to make the partnership work at many levels.”
Mostert’s 2018 livery will be unveiled prior to the pre-season test which takes place at Sydney Motorsport Park on February 16.
CLICK HERE for more from Mostert on the deal.
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