How Bathurst vengeance is pushing Golding, BRT into contention

A lot of people are circling James Golding's name as the most likely candidate to add themselves to the list of race winners in ATCC/Supercars history.

It's a list that currently features 89 names, the most recent of which was added courtesy of Kai Allen's Friday heroics at Christchurch, winning in his 48th career start for Penrite Racing.

However, it was Golding who delivered the Saturday heroics, going on a demon charge through the field to steal an unlikely podium off Ryan Wood with two laps to go.

The heroics were set up by an inspired gamble to change all four tyres at Golding's compulsory pit stop, while all five cars ahead elected to only change rear tyres.

Whilst there was a mountain of work to be done, such was the confidence from the Blanchard Racing Team on their strategy, that the radio call to Golding after his stop was clear, a podium was well within reach.

And indeed it was: Anton De Pasquale, Brodie Kostecki and Wood were all disposed of with decisive moves, paving the way for Golding and BRT to claim their second podium in the first 12 races of the season.

"You never really know to be honest once you get into the race," said Golding, who added a second podium to his first BRT campaign, which is just 12 races old.

"It felt pretty good at the start, I knew that we were in the mix, I didn't know how good we were going to end up, and strategy I knew was going to be different on that tyre as well.

"I just tried to look after it, the car kept getting better along the race, and after the stops the thing just hooked up.

"Stoked for the whole team, they've done a great job, and thanks to them giving me a good car and strategy to get the podium.

"They said we're fighting for the podium, and I just looked ahead and thought I've got a bit of a way to go, but [I put my] head down and the car was unbelievable."

Having now claimed two trophies inside 12 races of podiums at his new home, the BRT recruit has matched the number of podiums he achieved at his former home in PremiAir Racing.

The most famous of these came at Bathurst last year, where he crossed the line first after a remarkable drive in the pouring rain, only to be demoted back to third after copping a penalty for spinning Cooper Murray.

It's still a sore point for the 30-year-old, but instead of dwelling on it, he's using it as fire to push even harder for the first win. Given how quickly he's settled in with BRT, you'd be hard pressed to bet against it happening.

“Probably more than these guys trying to get another win,” said Golding towards fellow podium finishers Matt Payne and Broc Feeney, when asked at the press conference if he wants to win.

“Obviously having that one ripped away from me last year at Bathurst was pretty disappointing.

“I think we’re definitely in the mix this year. We’ve got to keep dotting the i's and crossing the t’s like they say, and keep being in the mix.

“When the opportunity arises, we’ll take it."

Golding's next chance will come on Sunday in Christchurch, with on-track action beginning with Boost Mobile Qualifying at 11:50am NZST/9:50am AEST.