News

Track: Mt Panorama, Bathurst  
Race:  Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000
Date:  9th October 2016
161 Laps – 1000kms
 
Race Recap: Scott Pye and Fabian Coulthard have finished fifth and sixth respectively in the Shell V-Power Fords today at the Bathurst 1000. In a race of two halves, the team mates ran the last seven laps nose to tail as a series of Safety Cars played havoc with the various strategies of both cars in the closing stages.

The first half of the 1000km journey was run without incident with both cars holding strong positions. The team decided to split the driver strategy at the beginning by runningmain driver Coulthard out of position four, and co-driver Tony D’Alberto in the No 17 out of position nine.

Both strategies worked well and after the mandatory 54 laps for the co-drivers was completed, albeit over a number of driving stints, Coulthard and Pye took charge to bring the cars home.

The No 12 DJR Team Penske Ford had been a factor all day until the final series of Pit Stops dropped Coulthard back seven spots with only a handful of laps to go.

Team mate Scott Pye in the No 17 Shell V-Power Ford finished in fifth position after a day which saw him lead the race on three occasions. He was also at the mercy of the Safety Car periods which dominated the closing stages of the race.

Two Top 10's for the team is a strong result as the team now turns its focus to the Gold Coast 600 in just two weeks' time.  
 
No. 12 Shell V-Power Ford - Fabian Coulthard / Luke Youlden
Race:    P 6         
Grid:    P 4
Fastest Lap: 2:07.06       Lap 148
               
Fabian Coulthard Quote: "It was tough today. We had a quick car but if you don't have the Safety Cars fall your way it makes life very difficult. That is the way this race works. The Mountain chooses you and today it chose those boys in the No 19."

"We are very strong in some areas but not so in others so that gives us a good point of focus as we head to 2017. At the end of the day, we got good points and put a straight car in the truck before the Gold Coast."

Luke Youlden Quote: "I thought at one stage we night go totally green today! But I guess the Safety Cars did ruin it for us towards the end. My laps were pretty uneventful as I was focused on getting them done and bringing it back for Fabs each time in a decent position. But the Mountain Gods conspired against us again today at the finish!"   
 
No. 17 Shell V-Power Ford - Scott Pye / Tony D'Alberto
Race:    P 5         
Grid:    P 9
Fastest Lap: 2:07.59       Lap 119

Scott Pye Quote:  "The car was very nice to drive but we lacked a bit of performance in some areas. Fifth was the best we could do with the strategy and the Safety Cars in the last half of the race. I am more than happy with that result given all the circumstances of the day and am really looking forward to the next round."

Tony D'Alberto Quote: "The last part of the race was crazy, but to finish fifth is a good day. If a couple of things had gone our way we could have been even better again. I was happy with my performance, which is really all I can control. Scott did a mega job in those closing laps."
 
Roger Penske Quote: "I was really impressed with the entire weekend from the standpoint of the organisation and the iconic track. To see the interest from the fans is excellent. More importantly, we raced with some well-run competition and there is no question our team did well and to have the two cars with the Shell V-Power livery was terrific."