Garland wants to perform in S5000 debut

Kody Garland will switch from the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series to S5000 and has set himself lofty targets in the open-wheel category.

Garland will stick with Garry Rogers Motorsport and race in place of James Golding, who will be busy with Supercars commitments given the fourth round of the season is a support act to the Sydney SuperNight event.

He will also drive the same chassis previously driven by Golding and will remain in the S5000 seat for the remaining three rounds of the season with his sights set on challenging for the Tasman Series title.

The switch to S5000 represents the next step in Garland’s career and a return to rear-wheel drive machinery having also performed in Aussie Racing Cars.

Last year was his first experience of TCR and emerged 19th after missing the first round and recording one top 10.

This year he made the move to Peugeot and currently sits 10th in the championship with the highlight the third place he recorded in the season opener.

But S5000 will be a new challenge and Garland is looking forward to giving open-wheelers a crack believing it could suit his driving style.

“I’m excited for this opportunity and honoured that the team chose me to fill in the seat vacated by Jimmy Golding,” said Garland.

“The S5000 cars suit the way I like to drive, they’re difficult cars to drive and you need to have a lot of respect for them otherwise they can bite you hard. 

“I have had one serious test day in the S5000 so far, and a few laps in the car at various points over the last year or so. 

“It’s all about building into it with the S5000, they’re the fastest cars in the country and it’s extremely rewarding when you get it right.”

Garland also has set himself big targets like challenging the likes of Joey Mawson for the Tasman title by the Adelaide finale.

“I am certainly aiming to get some good results, but I know there’s a difference in experience that I need to overcome first against the likes of Joey Mawson and Aaron Cameron,” he said. 

“The new tyre compound that is being introduced will help level the playing field a bit, and then I’ll just be trying to take everything on board.

“By the time we get to Adelaide and the Tasman Series round, I want to be putting myself in a position to perform at the very front. 

“At the end of the day the worst thing for a racing driver is to be sitting around doing nothing, so I’m extremely grateful that I’ve been able to add S5000 to my calendar for the year.”

Garland will make his S5000 debut at the Sydney SuperNight event on July 28-30.

Image: Daniel Kalisz

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