James Golding wins shortened S5000 race after incident at Sandown

Supercars young gun James Golding is the unlikely winner of Australia’s first S5000 feature race at Sandown Park.

A great September Sandown crowd was in attendance, with Golding starting smartly in the 25-lap main event. He was in the right place at the right time when Alex Davison triggered an early finish with a massive crash on the back straight that damaged the safety fencing.

Golding was a late addition to the S5000 field and proved his potential when he ran in the leading group from the start of the action at Sandown. He was quick, poised and trouble-free when other more-experienced drivers made mistakes, starting from pole

“It’s unfortunate that I didn’t have the chance to race into with Rubens there at the end, I think it was going to be a good race,” said James Golding.

“I still had to work for it. A few guys got caught out with the cold types. Spewing we didn’t get to race hard.

“I think the best thing is that the cars have been impressive for all the people who came out and saw them. The category really has a big future here in Australia.”

Former grand prix star Rubens Barrichello took second place and John Martin, who was doing double duty driving a TCR Australia Series Honda Civic at Sandown, was awarded third place.

S5000 incident at Sandown 2019

Ricky Capo triggered a Safety Car intervention when he spun on the first lap and then race leader and yesterday’s winner Tim Macrow went backwards into the gravel trap at the first corner on the re-start.

Once their cars were removed the scene was set for a 20-lap battle but officials called an early halt when Davison crashed while battling against Matt Brabham.

“It’s a shame the race ended that way, but at the end of the day, it’s not just one race that makes the week,” said Rubens Barrichello.

“I’d love to come back. We need to talk, but there’s always a possibility. I love to drive these car. I love racing fast cars, and I hope we can do something in the future.”

The next time the S5000 cars return to the circuit will be at The Bend Motorsport Park on November 15-17.

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