Supercars 2023: Tickford Racing announce team boss Tim Edwards will depart at the end of the 2023 Supercars season
Tickford Racing’s shake-up has continued with the Ford squad confirming another big change with a key off track figure departing the team.
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Tickford Racing’s restructuring has taken another major turn after it confirmed long-time team boss Tim Edwards will be departing the Ford squad.
One of Supercars most passionate team leaders, Edwards will step down from his role as chief executive officer and team principal at the end of the 2023 Supercars championship.
The announcement of Edwards’ departure comes after Tickford confirmed last month it would cut back from a four to a two-car operation from next season to focus its energy and resources on its bid to become a championship-winning team again.
Edwards has been in the role for almost two decades since joining the team when it was known as Ford Performance Racing in 2005.
In his time at the helm of the Ford squad, the team won the 2015 Supercars championship and Bathurst 1000 victories in 2013 (Mark Winterbottom/Steve Richards) and 2014 (Chaz Mostert/Paul Morris).
Tickford Racing co-owner and managing director Rod Nash said the decision was part of the team’s strategic restructuring, which included a “new era of leadership”, while he thanked Edwards for his contribution.
“The executive team that Tim is part of has been working on strategic adjustments in the way the business continues to commercialise its opportunities over the past 12 months,” Nash said.
“Part of that is welcoming a new era of leadership for the road ahead, all based on the strong foundation that Tickford is all about which is a direct result of Tim’s passion and the strong infrastructure he has put in place throughout his tenure.
“Tim has been one of the driving forces behind Tickford Racing for almost 20 years. His contribution to not only the team’s development but to the wider Supercars network cannot be understated.
Tickford said Edwards would remain in the role for the final three rounds of the 2023 season while the team conducts a “comprehensive recruitment process” to identify a new CEO.
The team is yet to publicly confirm its driver line-up for 2024, but Cam Waters and Thomas Randle are expected to continue with the squad, while James Courtney has been linked to an expanded Blanchard Racing Team seat.
Edwards said the decision to step down had not been “made lightly”, but felt it was the right time.
“It has been an incredible journey to lead this team and I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together,” Edwards said.
“I am grateful for the unwavering support of Rod and Sven (Burchartz), our dedicated team, drivers, loyal sponsors and partners, and our passionate fans and members.
“The decision to step down was not made lightly, but I believe it’s the right time for both my family and the team as we look forward to the future.”
It has been a tough campaign for Tickford Racing this year for the start of the sport’s Gen3 era with Waters the best of the team’s drivers in the championship, sitting seventh in the driver standings.
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