Completing five laps of the track in the ex-Matthew Brabham and Alex Premat chassis during a special promotional day for the S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship on Monday, Golding got a first-hand look as to how the open wheel cars will handle the Tasmanian circuit.

 

No stranger to the powerful S5000 car, the former Supercars driver enjoyed lots of success during the category’s display races at Sandown and The Bend last year.

 

Now that the Championship will finally get the chance to begin its official season as part of the Australian Racing Group’s Race Tasmania event in January, Golding believed there will be plenty of opportunities for passing and an exciting weekend.

 

“It was really good to get down there and get some laps in ahead of the event,” Golding said.

 

“I didn’t know what to expect, but the car seems to handle it all very well, especially compared to the Supercar that I’ve done a few laps in there.

 

“The car handled the bumps perfectly fine, so I think the racing will be good. There’ll be plenty of passing.

 

“I drove down the inside line leading into the hairpin, and over the bumps, the car felt good. With the big slipstreams that you’ll get leading down there, I don’t see why there won’t be a heap of good, clean passing opportunities.”

 

Joining the S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship at the event will be TCR Australia, Touring Car Masters and the National Trans Am Series, with drivers in the new S5000 Championship to also fight it out for the prestigious Motorsport Australia Gold Star award.

 

The S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship season opener will be broadcast live and free via the Seven Network as part of the event, which takes place at Symmons Plains Raceway on 24-26 January.