Xiberras optimistic over another PremiAir Darwin boilover

PremiAir Racing team owner Peter Xiberras is confident his team can replicate their 2024 successes at this weekend's betr Darwin Triple Crown.

PremiAir Racing and James Golding were arguably the star performers at Hidden Valley in 2024, with the 29-year-old claiming a shock pole position on Saturday for the first time in his career.

The pole was also PremiAir's maiden pole having joined the Repco Supercars Championship in 2022, with Golding leading the early running before Broc Feeney sneaked through at the Turn 6 hairpin in the valley.

Golding faded back to fourth by the chequered flag, and backed it up with another fourth on Sunday, to launch from 12th to a season-high fifth in the standings over the course of the weekend.

Darwin proved the launchpad for the second half of Golding's 2024 campaign, which also featured a maiden podium at Sandown alongside David Russell on route to seventh in the championship.

A repeat of that trend is something Xiberras is eager to see, with Golding and teammate Richie Stanaway cruelled by a lack of pace to open their weekends in 2025 to date.

"It is no secret that of late while we have been competitive come Sunday, we have been a bit slow to start, and that is something we are actively working to change," said Xiberras.

"If we can be on the front foot from the start, lining up further up the grids and with more car pace and handling at our disposal from earlier in the weekend, we will be able to start taking home more of those podiums like I know we are capable of, and just maybe, our first win.  

Golding and PremiAir have proven a force to be reckoned with during the Gen3 era in Darwin, with Golding having the third-best average finish and second-best average start of the 18 drivers to have contested all five Gen3 races at Hidden Valley.

Team owner Xiberras has also experienced drag racing success in Darwin, and is eager for silverware from either Golding or Richie Stanaway, who claimed a top 10 for Penrite Racing on Sunday last year.

"As the host venue of our first ever pole position, Darwin is certainly a special place for us as a team, and it is for me personally as I wrapped up my second Australian Top Fuel Championship at the Hidden Valley Drag Strip in 2023.

"Richie’s best result in Darwin from two appearances is 10th in last year’s race two, and as well as the pole position last year Jimmy was just off the podium in fourth place for both races.

"How great would it be to go even further this weekend; rest assured we are doing all we can to make that happen."

Golding sits just 27 points outside The Finals cut-off after his dramatic collision with Ryan Wood last time out in Perth, whilst Stanaway is 21st in points after a difficult start to 2025.

James Golding's Darwin Gen3 results

The 2025 Repco Supercars Championship continues at the betr Darwin Triple Crown from June 20-22. Tickets for the event are on sale now.