PremiAir desperate to deliver Golding's first podium
PremiAir desperate to deliver James Golding podium
James Golding has fourth career fourth-place finishes
Golding scored first Supercars pole in Darwin
It is “now time” for PremiAir Nulon Racing to deliver James Golding a maiden Supercars podium, says Team Manager Stephen Robertson.
Golding was one of the pace-setters at the last round in Darwin, with the Victorian claiming a maiden Supercars pole.
He finished fourth in both Darwin races, with the second result marking the fourth time he has finished one position off the podium, following fourth in the second Newcastle race last year, and in the 2017 Sandown 500 alongside Garth Tander.
It moved Golding level with David ’Skippy’ Persons for the equal-most fourth-place results, without claiming a podium in a championship race. Parsons did, however, win the non-championship 1987 Bathurst 1000 and 1993 Sandown 500.
Come Townsville, which marks the two-year anniversary of Golding’s first event with the team, Robertson is determined to get the 28-year-old some long-awaited silverware.
"The Townsville 500 will be a special event for Jimmy Golding, driver of our #31 PremiAir Nulon Racing Camaro, as it marks two years since he officially joined our family,” Robertson said.
"While the track hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for him and our team in the past, we are hoping it will be a case of third time lucky, with our recent form across both sides of the garage certainly giving us some confidence heading to this event.
"Following Darwin, Golding now has four fourth place finishes in his Supercars championship career [three with us] and it is now time for that breakthrough podium.”
The team has made big strides since Ludo Lacroix arrived in the off-season, with Golding a career-high fifth in the championship after Darwin.
Since taking over the #23 in Perth, Lacroix has helped Tim Slade recorded four straight top 10 qualifying results, with the goal now converting in the races.
The team has bolstered its off-track stocks, welcoming new Data Engineer Andrew Gilliam, who has already put a key focus on improving fuel flow in pit stops.
“While a lot of the focus has been on Golding lately following the last event, Tim Slade in our #23 PremiAir Nulon Racing Camaro is also definitely one to watch,” Robertson said.
“He has finished as high as fourth at Townsville before and as a two-time race winner and a veteran of this championship, he knows how to get it done.
"As we look to see the team standing on the podium for the first time, a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes in preparation for this weekend, both around the Townsville event itself and its peculiarities, and also looking at how and why we went well in Darwin, so we can replicate that moving forward and make sure we are providing both of our drivers and cars with everything required for success.
Track action in Townsville will commence on Friday. Tickets are on sale now.
