Team 18 confirms enduro driver pairings

Team 18 has confirmed its driver pairings for the Repco Bathurst 1000, with Michael Caruso the partner Mark Winterbottom, and James Golding shifting to Scott Pye's entry.

Golding, who placed eighth in the Great Race last year with Winterbottom, joins Pye in the #20 DEWALT entry.

Caruso, who drove alongside Lee Holdsworth at Tickford Racing last year, will steer the #18 IRWIN car with Winterbottom.

Golding will make his sixth Bathurst start this year, having joined Team 18 least year.

Caruso will make his 16th start, and claimed a podium alongside Holdsworth in 2009 for Garry Rogers Motorsport.

It reunites Winterbottom and Caruso, with the pair competing against each other in karts over 25 years ago.

They also competed as rivals in Supercars on a full-time basis between 2008 and 2018.

"I'm really excited to team up with Frosty in the #18 IRWIN Racing car at Bathurst this year," Caruso said.

"We've been competitors since we raced karts as kids, but we have never actually teamed up for anything so I'm looking forward to seeing how he operates within the team.

"I'm very much aware of his abilities as a Supercars champion and he's won Bathurst as well, so it's exciting to team up with someone who knows how to get the job done up there and that's what we're aiming to do.

"Tomorrow's test at Winton is going to be a great opportunity to get a feel for the car, meet people in the team and work together for the first time and work on all the little processes that are crucial to the end result."

Golding added: "It's awesome to team up with Scotty in the DEWALT Racing Commodore at the Bathurst 1000 this year.

"We had a strong run with Frosty [Winterbottom] last year and I'm pumped to continue on in the Team 18 stable.

"Scott's an experienced campaigner at the mountain and as a two-time runner up he has a strong track record up there.

"If I put my best foot forward and deliver for the team, it gives me the best opportunity to keep my name in frame for a main game return in 2022.

"I recently did a seat fit in Scott's car, so we'll make sure the new insert is comfortable at speed.

"The first day back in the car is just about re-familiarising myself and running through the team's test program."

Team 18 will take to Winton tomorrow for official pre-season testing.

The 2021 Repco Supercars Championship will commence at the Repco Mt Panorama 500. Tickets are on sale now.