Golding opens up on career crossroads

James Golding is set to bring up a milestone that, for some time, looked further beyond reach than he could imagine.

The Blanchard Racing Team driver is set to record his 200th Supercars race start in the finale of this weekend’s NTI Townsville 500.

Golding, then aged 20, made his debut at the 2016 Sandown 500, where he infamously slammed the Turn 6 barriers after suffering a high speed tyre failure.

10 years on, Golding has raced full-time for Garry Rogers Motorsport, PremiAir Racing and BRT, where he has flourished so far in 2026.

Reflecting on the impending milestone, Golding was proud of the number, and unprompted, didn't shy away from his trying path to 200 races.

“It's pretty cool. It doesn't certainly feel like that many starts,” Golding told Supercars.com.

"I didn't really have a smooth run, from the start to where I am now. It's been a bit up and down, going in and out of the sport was a bit of a challenge.

“But to have that many ticked off now is awesome.”

Golding rose to the full-time game with GRM in 2018, and a run to 22nd overall was headlined by an impressive run to eighth in Bathurst — perhaps, in what was a sign to come.

In 2019, Richie Stanaway sensationally replaced the dumped Garth Tander, and Golding remained. He nearly emerged as a shock Bathurst winner, amid another trying campaign.

Then, the late Rogers wound up his Supercars team, leaving Golding on the scrapheap.

For all the work he put in to get onto the Supercars grid, Golding was left in limbo.

When asked if he thought his Supercars career was over, Golding candidly replied: “Yeah, it definitely came across my mind a few times.

“I didn't give up, but the longer I was out of a seat, the more I thought I may never get back in.

“I do have to thank Garry Rogers for giving me my start in Supercars. He was awesome. I can't thank him and the whole team at GRM enough for giving me a shot in the beginning."

A two-year co-driver stint with Team 18 started well with a run to eighth in Bathurst with Mark Winterbottom. A year later, he teamed with Scott Pye, but their race didn't last the first hour.

Golding continued to ply his trade in S5000 with GRM, when PremiAir Racing owner Peter Xiberras called him up to replace the axed Garry Jacobson.

It was a lifeline, but Golding also saw it as an opportunity.

“It was a bit surprising, to be honest,” Golding said of the PremiAir call-up.

"I raced in the S5000 in Darwin, and on the day after I got the call from Pete saying, ‘Wanna drive the car at Townsville?’

"S5000 was keeping me sharp back then. It allowed me to get back in the Supercar and not be too far away from where I finished up on my last drive."

Golding remained with PremiAir into the Gen3 era. There, he starred, claiming a brilliant maiden pole and podium in 2024. While speed departed the team in 2025, rain was the great equaliser in Bathurst.

Again, Golding showed his class.

Tim Blanchard already had an eye on Golding before his Bathurst breakout. When the deal was announced, there was intrigue about how the Golding/BRT marriage would go.

Sitting ninth overall with a pole and two podiums to his name, Golding could yet emerge as a title contender should he reach the Finals, bringing him to the most unlikely of positions after being left drive-less in 2019 as a 23-year-old.

“I’m really grateful to everyone that's given me the opportunity over the years, from the start all the way to now,” Golding said.

“It’s been a privilege.”

Golding will resume his 2026 Supercars campaign at this weekend's NTI Townsville 500.