News

Track: Philip Island
Race:  WD 40 Phillip Island SuperSprint
Date:  April 16th 2016

No. 12 PIRTEK Ford – Fabian Coulthard
Qualifying     P 9     
Race 1         P 3        

No. 17 PIRTEK Ford – Scott Pye
Qualifying      P 10      
Race 1          P 26        

Recap Race 1:  Fabian Coulthard has scored another podium for DJR Team Penske with a late race move into third place today at Phillip Island. The two PIRTEK Ford’s had earlier qualified in 9th and 10th locking down row five of the grid.

At the green light, Scott Pye made a great move around a slow starting Caruso. Both cars were on the move early on with Scott being the first to pit on Lap 4. Fabian would run longer on the first set of tyres and pitted on Lap11. Both strategies had worked and moved each driver well inside the Top 10 after all the stops had been completed.

Coulthard was charging passing Lowndes, Van Gisbergen and Winterbottom to move to fourth, inheriting a podium third place on the last lap as Mostert’s Ford suffered a tyre failure.

Pye was running in a very strong eighth position behind Lowndes when his front right tyre let go as he braked for Turn 1, the fastest corner at Phillip Island. He was able to get back to the pits and was classified in 26th position.

Fabian Coulthard Quote: “Today was a lot of fun, but we stared to far back in the PIRTEK Ford to give ourselves a real chance. I did have some good battles today. I could see the one with Craig on the big screen TV as I was going around – and that looked pretty impressive!

“Our plan was always to run a little longer and get clear air. I was able to get by Moff early in the race and that helped us stick to our plan. 

“I felt like there was a lot of life left in our tyres, but it was unfortunate for Scotty as he was having a good race and both cars could have been in the Top 6. 

“Anytime you get on the podium you don’t want to do so from someone’s misfortune but today we’ll take it.”

Scott Pye Quote:  "It felt like the one that got away today. Although we did not qualify the PIRTEK Ford as well as we hoped the car had good race pace. The boys did a great job at the pit stop and we jumped quite a few guys.

“I was behind Fabian as he was battling with Lowndes but a few laps later the front right let go as I braked for Turn 1 and it was all over. A very disappointing finish.”