Golding rapt with breakthrough weekend

James Golding has “good momentum” heading to New Zealand after a breakthrough weekend at Sandown.

The Victorian did his chances of retaining his seat for 2023 no harm with solid results last weekend.

Golding recorded finishes of 13th, ninth and 19th at the Penrite Oil Sandown SuperSprint.

Critically, the 26-year-old beat home teammate Chris Pither in all three races.

Golding, who joined the team in Townsville, has finished ahead of Pither in five of the last six races.

Saturday’s race featured a recovery run from 25th to 13th, Golding starting last after an off in qualifying.

Come Sunday, and Golding was a force, the #31 Subway pilot scoring a first top 10 finish since the 2020 Bathurst 1000.

It was also his first solo top 10 finish since Pukekohe 2019.

The Sandown speed came after Golding wildly impressed in the rain at The Bend, only to be wiped out by David Reynolds.

“It was a bit of an up and down day for us,” Golding said of Sunday.

“There were lots of highlights, including qualifying in the top 10 and my first top 10 finish with PremiAir Racing.

“It was just awesome for the team.

“It was a bit of a rough one this afternoon, but those things happen in racing, and we gave it a crack and we gave it our all.”

Golding’s run to P9 in Race 25 was off the back of back-to-back qualifying efforts of eighth and 15th.

On both occasions, Golding out-qualified Pither.

Seats could be at a premium at the team for 2023, with Tim Slade linked with a shift to PremiAir Racing.

Given his recent form, Golding has kept himself firmly in the discussion to remain with the team.

“There are a lot of positives to take away from the weekend,” Golding said.

“Now we have some good momentum heading to New Zealand. I can’t wait to get there.

"I want to say thank you to everyone for all the support, to the team for all their work."

Supercars will return to New Zealand on September 9-11. Purchase your ITM Auckland SuperSprint tickets now.