News

Track: Philip Island
Race: WD 40 Phillip Island SuperSprint
Date: April 17th 2016

No. 12 PIRTEK Ford – Fabian Coulthard
Qualifying: P 4     
Race 2: DNF – Engine Sensor         

No. 17 PIRTEK Ford – Scott Pye
Qualifying: P 7      
Race 2: P 3        

Recap Race 2:  DJR Team Penske backed up Saturday’s podium with a fine drive by Scott Pye into third place in the 200km final today. The No 17 PIRTEK Ford driver capitalized on a good Qualifying moving into the Top 5 on Lap 4. From this point on he was in contention for a strong finish and with the DJR Team Penske crew delivering two excellent Pit Stops, Pye moved into 3rd place on Lap 28 of the 45 Lap race.

A late Safety Car was not what Scott was hoping for but a great battle between Lowndes, Winterbottom and Pye secured the podium position for the 26 year old.

Fabian Coulthard also qualified well and started from 4th position on the grid. However, he was in trouble from the warm up lap as an engine sensor problem caused a loss of power. After pitting on Lap 2, the crew worked hard to rectify the problem but eventually retired the car.

Fabian Coulthard Quote: "It was over before it started really. I did the warm up lap to the grid and then the formation lap, but coming out of Turn 6, the PIRTEK Ford lost all power and developed a big misfire.

"I was actually reluctant to go to the grid as starting fourth it was potentially a high risk to not get the car away. Thankfully the guys behind me saw that I was struggling and I just pulled straight over to the left.

"Very happy for Scotty. It is good for the team to score two podiums on these weekends and it keeps our team morale very high."

Scott Pye Quote:  "It was great to bounce back today after yesterday’s result. We qualified a bit better, but made good progress early on. I did not have a radio, so the first Pit Stop was my call on when to come in. I was trying to watch the guys behind and in front of me to see what they did and I made the first stop on Lap 11. The boys did a great job turning the PIRTEK Ford around and we got the Pit Board working after that.

"The late Safety Car was not really what we had hoped for as I had a nice little buffer to Winterbottom in fourth place. Frosty had a few less laps on his tyres so I was just trying to hold him up in the apex of most corners so I could get a run out. When Jamie made the mistake coming onto the front straight, I actually ran wide as well so Frosty got a run but I was able to follow him and hold onto third. A great result for the team to get two podiums here at Phillip Island."