V8 Supercars Championship, Sydney 500 - Round 14
December 4, 2016
Track: Olympic Park, Sydney
Race: Coates Hire Sydney 500
Date: 4th December 2016
Race 2 – 74 laps – 250kms
Race 2 Recap: The final race of the 2016 Virgin Australian Supercars Championship has ended with mixed results for DJR Team Penske. In his final drive for the team, Scott Pye finished in thirteenth place in the WM Waste Ford. Team mate Fabian Coulthard however, was involved in a bizarre incident that saw Cam Waters reversing out of the barriers straight into the path if the No 12 Sharp Ford.
Coulthard' car sustained extensive damage and although he was able to return to the pits, it looked like his day was run. But with all important Teams Points available, the car returned to the track on Lap 53, some 14 laps down on the field. Another great effort by the DJR Team Penske crew got the car across the line in twenty-first position.
Scott Pye pushed on all day in the No 17 WM Waste Ford but a Pit Lane Penalty after tangling with Moffat put him back in the pack. A final Pit Stop just near the end of the race gave Scott new tyres for the final six laps. He ultimately crossed the line in thirteenth, grabbing that position on the run to the Chequered Flag.
DJR Team Penske secured fifth place in the Teams Championship after today's result.
No. 12 Sharp Ford - Fabian Coulthard
Qualifying: P 18 Fastest Lap 1:27.65
Race 2: P 21
Fabian Coulthard Quote: "I think we had some better pace in the Sharp Ford today. We went long in the first stint and had fuel in hand to the cars in front. It was very disappointing to then be involved in an accident like that. I had already committed to Turn 8 and midway through the corner the yellow flags came out. I did my best avoid Waters but there was just nowhere to go."
"It was good to get back out and try and grab some more points for the Teams Championship to improve our pit lane order in 2017."
No. 17 WM Waste Ford – Scott Pye
Qualifying: P 20 Fastest Lap 1:27.89
Race 2: P 13
Scott Pye Quote: "The drive through penalty was disappointing because I think we had put ourselves in a good position for a Top 10 finish. I made a mistake behind Moff and turned him around, which sort of ruined both our races."
"We pitted near the end and threw some new tyres on the WM Waste Ford but we still didn't really have the pace to charge through like you would expect. P13 today is the best we could have hoped for today."