Tim Blanchard (born 30 June 1987) is an Australian racing driver. He currently competes in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, driving the No. 21 Holden ZB Commodore for Tim Blanchard Racing.
Blanchard has raced in several other motor racing series, including the British Formula Ford Championship, and was the winner of the 2007 Australian Formula Ford Championship.
Early career
Karting
Blanchard raced in various classes throughout his karting career, resulting in numerous titles. His final two years were particularly notable, taking out all before him in a dominant two years for the young Victorian. 2003 saw Tim take out the Victorian Junior National Heavy Title before winning the Australian Junior National Heavy Title in the National Sprint Kart Championships at Ipswich Kart Raceway, Ipswich, QLD. This was another successful year for Tim as he looked to move into the senior class after taking both junior titles on offer. In the 2004 season, Tim took out the Victorian Senior National Heavy Title before winning the Australian Title at Hume International Raceway in Puckapunyal. This would prove to be his final year in karts as a foray into Formula Ford awaited.
Formula Ford
Australia
Blanchard progressed into Formula Ford in 2005, participating in both the Australian and Victoria State Championships in his first season. Tim finished third in the Victorian Series, however only entering three races in the Australian Championship as he gathered much-needed experience in the open wheeler class.
He turned his concentration fully onto the Australian Championship in 2006, and under the guidance of Sonic Motor Racing Services, finished the season with 186 points and five podiums, resulting in a fifth place in the championship. 2007 saw Blanchard have his biggest success to date when he took out the Australian Formula Ford Championship with seven wins and sixteen podiums from the twenty-four race series.
UK
After winning the 2007 Australian Formula Ford Championship, Tim set his sights on conquering the British Formula Ford Championship, a series with a rich history, and a proving ground for many of the biggest names in motorsport. Blanchard signed with Jamun Racing Services, one of the most successful teams in British Formula Ford, and together with his teammate Wayne Boyd, set about dominating the championship. With 3 race wins, 16 podiums & 5 poles, Blanchard finished the 2008 British Formula Ford Championship in 2nd place, 50 points behind his teammate Wayne Boyd. This was another breakout year for Blanchard, culminating in a 3rd-place finish at the season-ending Formula Ford Festival. His mechanic for the season was Scott Malvern who went on to be a successful racing driver in his own right winning the British Formula Ford Championship and Formula Ford Festival with Jamun in 2011.
Due to some funding shortfalls following the Global Financial Crisis, Blanchard was unable to secure a drive for the 2009 season. Tim instead concentrated his efforts on completing his accounting degree at Swinburne University whilst also assisting a number of teams in both V8s and Formula Ford throughout the season.