Muscat gets big break in GRM enduro squad

Dunlop Super2 Series driver Richard Muscat will make his Pirtek Enduro Cup debut with Garry Rogers Motorsport this season.

The 24-year-old has been confirmed as James Moffat’s co-driver for Sandown, Bathurst and the Gold Coast, adding to his Super2 commitments with the team.

GRM has also announced that James Golding, who teamed with Moffat last year, is set to drive alongside Garth Tander.

The changes leave out David Wall, who raced with GRM full-time in 2015 before co-driving with Scott McLaughlin last year.

Muscat steps up to main game co-driver duties following a solid run to eighth in last year’s Super2 Series.

His resume includes titles in Porsche 944 Challenge, GT3 Cup Challenge and Australian GT, before finishing sixth in the 2015 Carrera Cup Australia.

Working as a concreter for his family’s business in Melbourne, Muscat’s assentation through the ranks has been supported by Wilson Security and Payce.

“The first thing anyone wants to do in Australian motorsport is compete in the Bathurst 1000,” Muscat told Supercars.com of his enduro chance.

“There are plenty of young guys all trying to get a crack at it and I can’t thank Garry and Barry enough for giving me the opportunity.

“To have a second year in Super2 with the same team, brand new cars and a strong engineering line-up as well, it should be a good year all round.

“Last year for me was about adapting to a Supercar after coming from GT and Porsches, so I needed to learn how to get the most out of them without killing the rear tyres.

“But in the last half of last year I rarely finished outside the top five or six so I’m really wanting to have more strong results and have a good crack at the title.”

Garry Rogers says he was impressed by Muscat’s efforts both on and off track throughout 2016.

“I was particularly impressed with Richard’s performance in his first season driving a Supercar and his ability to adapt to these cars and his ‘no fuss’ approach sees him fit in really well with our team,” said Rogers.

“Richard is extremely committed and after concreting with the family business rushes into the workshop to see how he can help the team.

“I am really pleased that Richard has developed to such a level that I believe he will be an extremely valuable endurance driver.”

Rogers added that he hopes to see 21-year-old Golding learn from the experienced Tander during the year.

Golding has missed out on a full-time drive in the squad’s main game and Super2 Series teams this year, but as previously reported will run two championship events as a wildcard.

“I certainly see similarities between Bieber (Golding) and Garth in his younger years,” said Rogers.

“I am sure that if he keeps his eyes and ears open Bieber will learn a lot from Garth throughout the season.”