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Slade to partner Supercars champ in 2020

Ex-Brad Jones Racing driver Tim Slade has been announced as Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin’s co-driver for next year’s endurance events.

Slade will replace Frenchman Alex Premat as McLaughlin’s partner for the 2020 endurance events, just weeks after his four-year stint with BJR came to an end following the Newcastle 500.

Slade signed off his 11-year career as a full-time driver with a podium finish on the streets of Newcastle in the second race of the event on November 24.

Premat had been McLaughlin’s co-driver for the past three seasons.

The pair combined to win this year’s Bathurst 1000 but that victory has since been overshadowed by a team orders controversy which led to a fine and points deduction for DJR Team Penske.

McLaughlin’s pole position was also stripped by officials after it was determined the pair’s Ford Mustang had breached engine regulations in qualifying.

A two-time race winner, Slade said he was looking forward to joining the powerful DJR Team Penske outfit.

“This is the best team in the sport, and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of one of these Mustangs,” he said.

“Driving for names like (Roger) Penske and (Dick) Johnson is not something I take lightly, and I’m very much looking forward to working with the team next year.”

Tony D’Alberto will continue as co-driver for Fabian Coulthard in the team’s other Mustang.

It will be D’Alberto’s fifth endurance campaign with DJR Team Penske.

“With both drivers being based in Australia, we intend to have them compete in all additional driver sessions next year, and attend all of our team test days so they are fully integrated into our program,” DJR Team Penske managing director Ryan Story said.

“We look forward to the 2020 season.”

Next year’s Supercars endurance campaign begins in September with the inaugural Bend 500 at Tailem Bend in South Australia before the Bathurst 1000 in October and concludes with the Gold Coast 600 at Surfers Paradise.

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