The Ford squad has committed to continuing its main game wildcard program this year, which forms part of its ‘Tickford Autosport’ academy and Super2 set-up.
One key change this year, though, is that the wildcard program won’t include the Bathurst 1000.
Instead there will be single-driver appearances in Townsville and at Queensland Raceway before a sole enduro outing at The Bend.
Super2 driver Reuben Goodall will be the first solo driver in Townsville, that marking his main game debut before he joins Thomas Randle for the enduros in the Castrol Mustang.
Ben Gomersall will the take over the car for the Ipswich sprint round, before joining a yet-to-be-announced co-driver for The Bend.
“It’s fantastic to be continuing the wildcard program once again in 2026,” said Tickford Racing CEO Simon Brookhouse.
“The program is fundamental to our young drivers’ development pathways as they pursue a full-time seat in Supercars.
“Reuben and Ben are fantastic young athletes and continue to prove themselves in the Dunlop Series and beyond.
“To be working with them both in the wildcard entries is a great opportunity for the drivers to work closely with [Cam] Waters, Randle and the main game team as well as show their talents on the track in Supercars.”
Goodall added that the solo outing in Townsville forms an important part of his preparation to partner Randle in the long-distance races.
“I am really excited to secure a solo wildcard round at Townsville in the Supercars Championship,” he said.
“Having the opportunity to work closer with the race team, Waters and Randle, in the lead up to the Ryco Enduro Cup is fantastic preparation at a critical part of the season.
“The team have been great to work with to get more Gen3 seat time before the enduros, so I will be looking to really learn every step of the way from now until then.
“I can’t thank those who have backed me enough, from family to sponsors across my racing career, it is another step to my development and goal of reaching the next level of racing.”
Gomersall, meanwhile, is also facing a main game debut as part of the program.
“{I’m super excited to make my main game Supercars debut in the coming months at my home round at Ipswich, and later compete at The Bend 500,” he said.
“This is something that I’ve always dreamed of throughout my whole motorsport journey.
“I’ve worked incredibly hard to get to this point and to be rewarded the opportunity by Tickford Racing is a dream come true after a strong start to our Super2 campaign together.
“I’m really looking forward to all the learnings I can take away from both Ipswich and The Bend 500 to gain some valuable experience for not only prospects of a main game drive in the future, but my Super2 campaign as well.
“I’d just like to thank all my sponsors and family who have put in massive contributions to get me this far in my career.”
This article first appeared on Speedcafe.com, a sister site to MotorRacing.com.