Fabian Coulthard sets lap record at Bathurst

Fabian Coulthard sets lap record at Bathurst

Sports code: v8 supercars
Source: stuff.co.nz
Date: 10/10/14

New Zealand's Fabian Coulthard drove the fastest ever lap at Bathurst today as Kiwi drivers dominated an action packed qualifying session.

Coulthard, in his Lockwood Racing Holden, posted a time of two minutes 5.608 seconds and will be the last driver to take to the track in the top 10 shootout tomorrow, while compatriot Shane Van Gisbergen was the second fastest, just a 10th of a second behind.

Scott McLaughlin will also take part in the shootout after he finished fifth fastest in qualifying, while Ant Pedersen - of Super Black Racing - was the slowest of all the cars that completed the session and will start the 1000km race from 24th position.

One car of the two cars he'll be ahead of, however, is defending champion V8 Supercars champion Jamie Whincup who crashed out of the the session and will start 25th, one ahead of David Reynolds who suffered a similar fate.

Traditionally, Coulthard has never done well at Bathurst but his drive today suggested his luck could be about to change.

"The car was phenomenal," he said afterwards.

"We tuned it up over the run and I was pretty happy we could make the gains we needed to make.
"To have the outright qualifying lap record is pretty cool. I'm not going to lie, it takes a lot to get me excited and I'm pretty pumped by that.

"I'm not sure that's enough and in the shoot out we see it tumble down again as the grip gets better.

"I'll take it while it's mine at the moment and we'll look over the data and try to tune Tallulah (his car) even more.

"The fact that l'll be the last car to start means I'll know what everyone has done and I'll be able to put my head down and focus and do my best. I'm confident that our car is good to do it on that lap and I'm pleased with how this day has gone."

Van Gisbergen, meanwhile, said he hoped if it wasn't him that one of his fellow New Zealanders would come out on top at the weekend.

"For us Kiwis it's pretty cool," he said.

"Scott is fast as well and hopefully it makes the news over there tonight and gets everyone excited about the race.

"I hope we all do well, we're all in good cars and have good opportunities, hopefully one of us gives it a good shot

- Stuff