News

Track: Albert Park
Race:  Coates Hire V8 Supercars Challenge
Date:  March 18th 2016
 
No. 12 Detroit Ford – Fabian Coulthard
Race 1                   P 4          Started P 3
Race 2                   P 4          Started P 4
Set Fastest lap time in Race 1 of 1:58.31
 
No. 17 Western Star Trucks Ford – Scott Pye
Race 1                   P 5          Started P10
Race 2                   P 17        Started P5          
 
 
Recap Races 1 and 2: DJR Team Penske has finished the first days racing at the Coates Hire Challenge at the Formula 1 Grand Prix with more solid results.

In Race 1, the field faced a rolling start and Scott Pye was on the move from 10th position at the green light, but clipped the rear of Jason Bright at Turn 1. The incident did not hinder the Western Star Trucks Ford's progress and he was up two spots by the end of Lap 1. Fabian Coulthard started strongly from 3rd in the Detroit Ford and was battling Winterbottom on the run up to Turn 11 when the two came together spinning the PRA driver. Coulthard continued in 4th but was soon back in 3rd chasing the Red Bull cars. The tables turned on Lap 10 when Mostert regained third at Turn 3. Coulthard crossed the shortened race in 4th position.

Pye was also on the charge and moved up behind his team mate to finish in 5th position at the chequered flag. Both drivers were cleared of any penalty from Race 1 and lined up for the rolling start in 4th and 5th respectively for Race 2.

Coulthard was quickly into third and began a race long battle with Mostert. He would finish 4th in another good performance. Pye was away well, but fell into the clutches of Lowndes and the two HRT cars. An excursion at Turn 1 saw him drop down the order to eventually finish in 17th.

Fabian Coulthard Quote: "I feel like we have taken a step today with the Detroit Ford, but I just want to get the car more to my liking which we are just struggling a bit to do at the moment. We can battle with the guys at the front but we need to take that next step. Two fourth placings today is good progress, but I'm sure we will learn more from the data tonight and come out firing tomorrow."

Scott Pye Quote:  "The first race produced a good result for the Western Star Ford. We were able to move into the Top 5 passing Craig and having a good battle with Courtney. The first corner incident with Brighty was unfortunate but we were running three wide after the rolling start.

In Race 2 I was running in front of Lowndes and he went under me at Turn 13. The rears got out on the astro turf and the HRT boys pushed past. A lock up at Turn 1 and my race was pretty well run."

About Western Star Trucks

Western Star Trucks has a long and proud history in Australia and New Zealand. Our reputation for designing, building and distributing heavy-duty trucks is well known around the world. And like any good reputation, it wasn't built overnight.

The brand celebrated its 45th Anniversary in 2012, its 30th Anniversary in Australia in 2013, and continues to balance modern technology and hand assembly in every truck. The result: Western Star remains the premier producer of custom heavy-duty trucks in the world. And though advances in technology have made manufacturing faster than ever, you'll find that we build every truck in the same manner we did when we started over 45 years ago: by hand. It's this attention to detail and drivers' needs that have made Western Star Trucks what it is today: the ultimate in comfort, power, convenience and durability.

About Detroit

Detroit has the most advanced range of fuel efficient and durable diesel engines in the world, available in a wide variety of horsepower and torque configurations. Detroit engines feature market leading low whole-of-life costs and warranty conditions.  All Detroit on-highway products have value-added features from on board fleet management data to dashboard driver display modules. We offer unparalleled support through genuine parts, advanced technical expertise, maintenance programs and a network of branches and dealers across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

About DJR Team Penske  

DJR Team Penske is one of the most successful motorsports teams in Australia, with seven Australian Touring Car / V8 Supercars Championships and three Bathurst 1000 victories. Team Penske's U.S. motorsports entities are among the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Competing in a variety of disciplines, including NASCAR and INDYCAR, the team has produced more than 400 major race wins, over 450 pole positions, 28 National Championships and 16 Indianapolis 500 victories in its storied history. Team Penske celebrates 50 years of motorsport competition in 2016 and will stage a number of major events during the year.