Golding steals Race Tasmania
A perfect Sunday has vaulted James Golding to Trans Am round honours at AWC Race Tasmania ahead of Elliott Barbour and Jordan Boys.
A new tyre gamble in race 3 proved to be a masterstroke as Golding went back to back on Sunday.
With Jordan Boys unable to overhaul a spirited Elliott Barbour for second, the #31 Supercars driver was able to steal round honours in his second event in the category.
Golding admitted he did not believe a round win would be possible after qualifying seventh and Boys was untouchable on Saturday.
“It is bloody awesome,” Golding said.
“We put in a lot of work between rounds so it’s great to repay the boys.
“I didn’t think it (round win) was possible after the way we started this weekend but we put our heads down and stayed out of trouble.”
Off the start Golding pushed past Barbour down the inside whilst behind them the heat was on.
Boys and James Moffat ran side by side and the defending champion won the battle to soar from fifth to third, while Todd Hazelwood also had to race hard to hold onto a top five place.
Nash Morris also had a lightning start to bolt up six spots to ninth.
On lap 4 Boys made a smart move on Moffat to steal third at the hairpin.
After 11 laps Golding built a 2s lead over Barbour, who was doing a mighty job at keeping Boys and now Hazelwood behind.
The first Safety Car arrived on lap 13 safety car due to yet another grass fire this time caused by a Ben Grice mistake.
Green flag racing only lasted for another six laps before the Safety Car returned.
Mark Bailey and Josh Thomas clashed on the exit of the hairpin which fired the #69 into the guardrail.
The pair finished spinning right behind a limping Tim Slade who would scramble a race ending Safety Car due to gearbox dramas.
Trans Am returns at Phillip Island on April 12-14.
Trans Am AWC Race Tasmania race 4 results
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