FABIAN COULTHARD TRIUMPHS IN THE TOP END

Fabian Coulthard triumphs in Top End – Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

DJR TEAM PENSKE’s Fabian Coulthard and Scott McLaughlin have brought their Shell V-Power Ford Falcon FG/Xs home for their third one-two result of the year, in Race 11 of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship at Hidden Valley today.

The team mates crossed the line in front of Brad Jones Racing Nick Percat (Holden Commodore VF), Jamie Whincup (Red Bull Holden Racing Australia VF) and Prodrive Racing Australia team mates Chaz Mostert (Supercheap Auto) and Cam Waters (Monster) in their Falcons.

Team Vortex’s Craig Lowndes (VF) put in another stunning drive after qualifying 19th to finish seventh ahead of David Reynolds (Erebus Penrite VF), James Moffat (Wilson Security GRM VF), and BJR’s Tim Slade (Freightliner VF) and Tim Blanchard (Team CoolDrive VF) in 11th and 12th.

Nissan’s Rick Kelly was the fastest qualifier – Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

Rick Kelly had been the fastest qualifier and led at the start in his Sengled Racing Nissan Altima, only losing the lead at the round of pitstops, undercut by Coulthard. Later Kelly would bring out the safety car when the throttle jammed open and put him into a tyre barrier.

Dale Wood (Erebus GB Galvanizing VF and eventually 25th) and Mark Winterbottom (PRA Bottle-O FG/X) were involved in an early incident at turn one that relegated them to the rear of the field before Winterbottom recovered for 14th behind Will Davison (Techno Woodstock).

Jason Bright (PRA MEGA Falcon) managed to survive a melee with the Commodores of Garth Tander (Wilsons GRM) and Shane Van Gisbergen (Red Bull) to take 15th. Tander pitted to replace a wheel and finished 26th. After a unscheduled stop earlier for a puncture and fightback, Van Gisbergen was out with steering damage.

Best placed of the Altimas was Michael Caruso (Nissan Motorsport) in 16th while the remaining ones overcame clashes along the way for 18th through to 20th for Todd Kelly, Wildcard Jack Le Brocq and Simona De Silvestro.

The LDM cars of Alex Rullo and Cameron McConville started of the rear of the grid and made it through to 21st and 17th respectively while it was another bad result for HSV Racing with James Courtney and Scott Pye finishing 22nd and 23rd ahead of the other Wildcard in Macauley Jones, another who was in the wars during the 42-lap race.

Formation finish for DJR Team Penske – Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

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