Supercars driver Thomas Randle is encouraging people to get checked for cancer one race at a time.
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More than four weeks since he last raced the famous Mount Panorama track, Randle is returning to Bathurst not in the hunt for championship points but to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
The Tickford Racing driver leaves his Ford Mustang to go behind the wheel of a pink-liveried BMW M2 Coupe for the Bathurst 6 Hour endurance race, joining brothers Ben and Michael Kavich as part of the Race For a Cure initiative.
Founded by Ben's wife Toula following her breast cancer diagnosis back in 2016, the initiative is a way for the brothers to combine their passion for motorsport with an important cause.
The Kavichs have since helped raise over $175,000 in support of lifesaving breast cancer clinical trials in search of a cure.
Randle was brought on board through Tickford team co-owner Sven Burchartz after his life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with a form of testicular cancer in 2020.
"It rocked my world as it probably does for anyone who is given a cancer diagnosis. You immediately think the worst," Randle told AAP.
"At that point of my career, where I was in my life, I was really trying to make it as a full-time driver in Supercars.
"When I was given that diagnosis, I thought it could be all over - everything I've worked for, my family and my supporters that helped me work towards, could be over.
"Thankfully, I came out the other side. It was stage two so it spread to my abdomen and my lymph node - I was lucky that I caught it early-ish enough."
The Melbourne local is now in his third Supercars season since beating cancer and is reaching new heights after claiming his career-first podium finish and pole position in 2023.
Randle most recently flaunted his speed at the Australian Grand Prix, jumping from a start in 12th position to claim a finish in fourth at Albert Park.
"I like to show that if I can have a cancer diagnosis as someone who's fit, young and races cars, what's stopping anyone else? Cancer doesn't discriminate," Randle said.
"Prevention is much better than cure.
"The big message that I like to spread is if you feel like something's not right, it's best to go and get it checked in.
"I've had a lot of people come to me over the last few years - they've told me their own personal stories of 'I felt like something wasn't quite right so I went to go check it out, and it turned out to be nothing but I feel better for going'.
"And then ... I've had people come to me and say, 'I went to go get checked and it turned out I had something'.
"I don't know if it's satisfaction, but I get the pleasure of knowing I can help save even one life."
After finishing fourth last year at the Bathurst 6 Hour, Randle and the Kavich brothers are hoping to grab the elusive podium spot or even win the race outright.
The Race for a Cure car hits the track for a warm-up at 8.55am on Sunday, before the six-hour race gets underway at 11.45am.
Australian Associated Press
