Tickford truck on with Truck Assist

Following his breakthrough podium at last week’s Sandown 500, Tickford Racing can confirm that Lee Holdsworth will continue with the team for the 2020 Virgin Australia Supercars season. In addition to re-signing Holdsworth, Tickford Racing has signed Truck Assist as the naming rights partner aboard Holdsworth’s No. 5 Ford Mustang.

“I’m absolutely stoked to be able to say I’m staying with Tickford Racing in 2020 and driving the Truck Assist Ford Mustang,” Holdsworth said. “We’ve had a great second half of 2019 and I really feel confident in the team and the car, so I’m very happy to be staying put. This year’s given my career a shot in the arm. I always felt I had more years in me, this year we’ve been able to prove it, and I’m really grateful to Tickford that I’ll be able to continue fighting for top fives and podiums with them in 2020.”

Truck Assist General Manager Alan Hasted echoed Holdsworth’s feelings, as the truck insurance and roadside assistance provider joins the team from next season. 

“Lee has had a very strong season back up the front, and we’re very excited to be a part of his 2020 efforts with Tickford Racing,” Hasted said. “Supercars provides us with an incredible opportunity to connect with our customers through a shared passion for motor sport. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our involvement with Supercars over the past year, and to join one of the category’s premier teams is a fantastic way for us to continue to build connections with the audience. We can’t wait to see Lee and the Truck Assist Ford Mustang hit the track.”

After using the early season to adapt to the characteristics of the new Ford Mustang Supercar, Holdsworth’s season came to life in May, taking out twin top tens at Perth and a top five at Winton. Consistently building pace and confidence in the car, Holdsworth stood on the podium at the Sandown 500, taking third place with co-driver Thomas Randle, and is optimistic more results can be achieved in 2020.  

Team principal Tim Edwards is happy to keep Holdsworth in a Tickford Mustang, noting his performances on track and his positive relationship with the team as key factors in retaining the well-liked racer. Edwards also welcomes Truck Assist to the team, adding another brand deeply involved in the sport to the team’s extensive brand portfolio.

“Lee’s been great for us in and out of the car,” Edwards said. “He gelled with the team straight away at the start of this year, provides great insight in team meetings, and has been great with fans and sponsors. Once he acclimatised to our car the results started coming, and they came in droves. We’re more than happy to continue with Lee, and look forward to seeing him hoist more trophies in 2020.”

“The team at Truck Assist are very committed to the sport, and we’re elated to partner with them from next year onwards,” Edwards added. “They believe in what we do as a team, and believe in the overall product of the category, which is really exciting for us and for the sport. We absolutely look forward to working with them and providing them success on and off the track.”

With the 2019 season concluding this weekend at the Newcastle 500, the 2020 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship kicks off February 20-23 at the Superloop Adelaide 500.