Golding to guide youngsters in new venture

James Golding will strive to nurture rising motorsport talent in making the transition from karts to cars as part of a new business venture.

Besides fitness and simulator work plus keeping his go-karting equipment in tip-top shape, the IRWIN Racing co-driver has stayed busy during the COVID-19 break by ramping up preparations for his own company.

James Golding Simulation and Driver Training will draw on the 24-year-old’s experience in getting to Supercars to help next-generation talent reach their potential.

Golding came through the Australian Formula Ford pathway to drive for Garry Rogers Motorsport at Dunlop Super2 Series level and then Supercars.

GRM’s exit from the series at the end of last year left him sidelined, later picking up a 2020 co-drive with Mark Winterbottom as he plots a return to the main game.

In the meantime, Golding will play the mentor role to a number of the sport’s youngsters, using simulators to help their graduation from karting.

“It’s good to have all that ready so once everything resumes and people are able to travel interstate and that sort of thing, I can get that going and start to train some kids,” he told Supercars.com.

“It’s mainly designed for kids making the move from karts to cars.

“It’s not open for just anyone to come do it; it’s more of an application and select sort of deal.

“When I was young and getting into Formula Ford and that for the first time, there’s a lot of stuff that you have got to learn whilst you’re trying to drive fast at the same time.

“So it’s to get all of the information about how everything works so that when they do go out and do the real thing, they can concentrate on just driving fast instead of trying to learn what’s going on with the car and why is it doing this, why is it doing that.

“It’s about giving them a leg up before they get into the real thing.

“I’ve obviously worked with a few different guys with Scott McLaughlin and Garth Tander and Richie Stanaway [all at GRM], who have all come from different backgrounds.

“So there has been numerous things that I have learnt throughout my career which has helped me get to where I am and can certainly help some younger guys with their careers.”

Golding competed as a wildcard in Round 8 of the BP Supercars All Stars Eseries during the week, claiming an impressive fourth in the Interlagos finale.