Golding hoping to catapult himself into 2021 picture

James Golding is striving for a fine performance at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 to bolster his chances of a full-time Supercars return in 2021.

Golding starred in the 2019 edition of the Great Race for Garry Rogers Motorsport, with strong pace and a clever strategy having him charging towards the top five until a wheel-clip issue forced a late unscheduled stop.

The 24-year-old was then an unlucky loser in silly season, as GRM’s withdrawal from the category left him without a drive.

Golding was quickly snapped up by Team 18 to co-drive with Mark Winterbottom in the #18 IRWIN Commodore that could realistically be a dark horse at the Mountain.

Winterbottom has been generally fast in qualifying and is ninth overall in the championship.

If Golding can play his part, it will only do good for his desire of a third full season in the main game arriving sooner than later.

“I haven’t been racing that much this year but I’ve kept doing my training and 100 percent focused on Bathurst and doing a good job there,” said the Victorian, who has been serving a two-week quarantine in Darwin.

“It’s a really important race and something that I’m looking for a good showing in to try to get my bum back in a seat full-time.

“Hopefully we can have a good run, we’ve got a strong team around us and the cars have been looking good in the previous rounds so I’m really looking forward to it.

“We had a really good run last year in the GRM until it all went south with that wheel coming loose but we were right in the battle at the front there which was awesome to be a part of and it just goes to show that I can do it.

“With what’s going on so far this year with the team’s results, I think me and Frosty are going to be a really strong pairing and something to look out for.”

Golding, who will also represent Team 18 in the upcoming Repco Supercars Pro Eseries, has a previous best Bathurst finish of eighth in 2018 alongside Richard Muscat.