James Golding and Tim Macrow take a victory each in S5000 heats at Phillip Island

James Golding and Tim Macrow came home with a victory apiece in the S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship heats on Saturday at Phillip Island.

James Golding leads the opening S5000 heat at Phillip Island. (ARG)

James Golding set a stunning lap to put his Team Valvoline GRM #31 on pole position for the opening heat and had a perfect start off the line.

He held off rival Joey Mawson through turn one to pull away a lead of over 1.5 seconds by the chequered flag.

It was Golding's first win of the season and seventh in his S5000 career, the most of any driver in the short history of the series.

Joey Mawson and Cooper Webster maintained the order from the start to complete the podium.

On the reverse grid for race two it was Blake Purdie and Zane Goddard who started on the front row.

Tim Macrow started third and dived into turn one to grab the lead before a battle with Purdie saw the Nippy's 88 Racing #48 back in front.

Purdie's lead was short-lived, flying off the road into turn one on the following lap.

Macrow grabbed the lead with both hands and held on as the battle grew behind him, with Cooper Webster inching closer to the leader despite the difference in experience between the pair.

Macrow held on for the victory, cementing his lead of the championship standings on his tilt for a third Gold Star Australian Drivers' Championship title.

Webster was second, with Mawson in third.

The S5000 field returns tomorrow for the feature race, which is sure to be a grand final outing in a weekend of tight racing.