4 October 2021 | General

Golding: Supercar ‘easier’ after driving S5000

One of the most experienced S5000 racers in the field says he’s more than up to the task of performing double duty at this year’s Bathurst 1000.

As well as challenging for the Tasman Series crown aboard a Garry Rogers Motorsport-prepared S5000 entry, Victorian James Golding will also pair with Scott Pye in a Team 18 Commodore in the 2021 Great Race – his sixth Bathurst start.

Golding is a four-time S5000 race winner – three in the 2021 S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship and another in the non-championship event at Sandown in 2019 – and says if anything, jumping between the two cars might actually give him an advantage come the famous Supercars enduro.

“I don’t think it’s an issue,” Golding said.

“It’s only a benefit to get some more laps and I’m looking forward to doing double duty. We’ll see how the schedule plays out and see how much time we have to jump from one to the other, but it won’t be an issue.”

In fact, the raw pace of the 560-hp wings and slicks cars might even help Golding’s quest to topple his previous best Bathurst finish – eighth, achieved on two occasions.

“I have noticed driving the S5000 that I find it easier to drive the Supercar afterwards – I can get onto the pace quickly and jump in where I left off,” he said.

“It’s certainly better than doing nothing at all, especially at the same track on the same day.

“It will be good for understanding track conditions as well.”

Golding will join Nathan Herne as part of a confirmed two-car GRM squad in this year’s Tasman Series, with the team also working on the possibility of adding a third car for Luis Leeds.

The team had a strong Gold Star season earlier this year, including a remarkable 1-2-3 team finish in the final race of the year at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The track schedule at Mount Panorama is yet to be confirmed, however will include four races to complete the seven-race Tasman Series title battle.

That will follow three races held at Sydney Motorsport Park at the Sydney SuperNight event a fortnight prior.