Golding claims first pole of 2026 in remarkable BRT lockout

In one of the all-time opening round upsets, James Golding has claimed the first Boost Mobile Pole Award of 2026, as Blanchard Racing Team locked out the front row.

Golding, who topped the final session of the Destination NSW Sydney Test Day last night, became the first driver in the Gen3 era to dip below a 1:28s, flying to a 1:27.9510s.

Amazingly, his teammate Aaron Cameron went within just 0.0602s of claiming his maiden pole position, but regardless claimed his second front row start in as many rounds after qualifying second on Saturday in Adelaide.

Amid scenes of jubilation in the BRT garage, a stunned Golding was in a state of disbelief: "Honestly, I've got no words.

"Absolutely incredible job by the whole team. Obviously I get the joy to finish it off, but but it goes down to all their hard work and I just want to thank everyone that's supported me along the way.

"I've had a few ups and downs, and this is just the beginning of something solid, so I can't wait."

With a minimal form guide to read from, all 24 cars rolled out under overcast skies at Sydney Motorsport Park, with the opening 12-minute segment setting positions 11-24 on the grid.

Broc Feeney was the first to set a marker at a 1:28.7006s, before Andre Heimgartner fired Toyota's first warning shot with the fastest Gen3 lap ever at Sydney, a 1:28.5853s.

That marker stood until both of the Blanchard Racing Team Mustangs soared, James Golding going to the top on a 1:28.4755s, and Aaron Cameron going to third on a 1:28.6065s.

The likes of Chaz Mostert, Ryan Wood, Matt Payne, and Kai Allen were all on the outside looking in entering the crucial final run that would set the 10 for Q2.

The timing screens lit up big time on the final run, with Will Brown first going to the top, before Golding once again impressed, but ultimately it was Matt Payne who ended Q1 on top with a blistering 1:28.1083s.

Mustangs swept the top six with Payne, Golding, Brown, Cameron, Feeney, and Cam Waters. Zach Bates flew late to go seventh as the top Chevrolet, with Heimgartner maintaining a fine eighth, Anton De Pasquale ninth, and Thomas Randle completing the 10.

Brodie Kostecki missed out on Q2 by just 0.0008s, whilst other surprises included Kai Allen back in 17th, whilst both Walkinshaw Toyotas missed the cut, Ryan Wood in 15th and Chaz Mostert 20th.

As the 12-minute clock restarted for Q2, only Randle and De Pasquale rolled out initially, with Waters joining them on track after a few seconds.

It wasn't until there was four and a half minutes to go that the field rolled out for their hero laps, with Waters on top with an unrepresentative 1:29.0703s banker lap.

Broc Feeney was the first to set a serious marker on a 1:28.2173s, however both Blanchard Mustangs, who have a technical deal with Triple Eight, would put more than a quarter of a second on last year's Boost Mobile Pole Award winner.

Matt Payne was the only driver who could break the stranglehold, with his fastest laps coming on a second flyer, however he could only manage to drop into third alongside Feeney on the second row.

De Pasquale and Bates will start from the third row, with Waters and Brown on the fourth row, and Randle and Heimgartner completing the top 10.

The opening race of the 2026 Repco Supercars Championship begins at 7:50pm local time.