News

Track: Townsville Street Circuit
Race:  Townsville 400
Date:  10th July 2016

No. 12 Hog's Ford – Fabian Coulthard
Qualifying       P 19     Fastest Lap 1:13.26
Race 2       P 15            

No. 17 Shell Helix Ford – Scott Pye
Qualifying      P  9     Fastest Lap 1:12.99
Race 2         P  7       

Race 2 Recap: Scott Pye was rewarded with a fine seventh place today in the Shell Helix Ford after chipping away at the car's performance all weekend. He served notice in the morning Qualifying session that the DJR Team Penske No 17 had improved from Saturday's race by booking a slot in the Top 10 Shootout. He held his ninth grid position and put the Shell Helix Ford in a strong position from the green light.

Fabian Coulthard endured a reversal of his Saturday form, not being able to replicate his Top 10 finish from Race 1. Despite set up changes made to the Hog's Ford, Coulthard qualified and ran mid field for the bulk of the race. The tricky Townsville circuit was catching many contenders out and tyre life became the key issue for performance.

Towards the end of the race the DJR Team Penske crew had to call Pye in for third pit stop to change a slowly deflating rear right tyre. As he tumbled down the field a Safety Car came just at the right time and he was able to claw his way back from eleventh to a strong seventh position at the end of the 70 Lap race. Coulthard had also moved up to grab fifteenth spot in the final run to the flag.

Scott Pye Quote: "To finish up seventh today in the Shell Helix Ford is a really solid day for us. We were searching for a set up all weekend, and we haven't hit the nail on the head until today. I said to the guys that between fifth and eighth today was maximizing the package so it was good to get that result."

"We had a right rear tyre going flat late in the race and I thought we had undone all the work, but the Safety Car that came out we had the luck swing our way and I was able to climb back to seventh. We head to QR now where our testing has been very strong, so really looking forward to it."  

Fabian Coulthard Quote: "It was a tough day. At no point in the race was the Hog's Ford really able to challenge and move us up the order. It was one of those races which nothing really fell our way. The race threw a lot of things at us. Traffic, double stacking in the pits and the Safety Car in the final laps all contributed to the result. Like a lot of cars out there tyre life was a critical issue. So, we need to look forward to QR and work hard on what we have learnt here in Townsville."

About Viva Energy Australia
Viva Energy Australia ("Viva Energy") was launched in mid-August 2014 following the completion of Vitol's acquisition of Shell's Australian downstream business. It comprises of the Geelong refinery, a 900 plus site-retail network and a bulk fuels, bitumen, chemicals and lubricants business supported by more than 20 terminals across the country. Viva Energy is the exclusive licensee of Shell branded fuels and lubricants in Australia. For more information – www.vivaenergy.com.au

About Hog's Australia's Steakhouse
Our founding father and original Boss Hog, Don Algie, was sailing along the Queensland Coast and settled into the idyllic surrounds of the Whitsunday Islands. Soon after, he opened the doors of the first Hog’s Breath Restaurant right there in Airlie Beach some 26 years ago.
In November the following year, a second store was opened in Mooloolaba and ever since, additional stores have followed. There are now over 80 locations currently around Australia and New Zealand and we’re still growing!