Coulthard held the top spot at the time of the incident, with the contact ruling out any chance for further improvement. He would ultimately end the session fifth, whilst Coulthard will start today’s second race from 14th.
The common practice in V8 Supercars qualifying is for cars in the process of executing a ‘hot’ lap to have their headlights switched on – Tander suggesting that Coulthard’s were not in a post-session exchange in the Holden Racing Team garage.
The Kiwi driver was philosophical about the incident, still recording his second top-five qualifying effort of the weekend regardless of the dramas involved.
“Unfortunately, it’s a line ball call,” Said Coulthard of the incident.
“I thought my headlights were on, Garth says they weren’t. We will have to go back and look at it all afterwards. It’s disappointing to see the pole position slip away, but we’ve got a good race car and it’s a long race.
“We’ve got a pretty good friendship off the track, but once you’re out there it’s every man for himself.”
Coulthard says he is confident about the ongoing potential of his Lockwood Racing Holden, from Brad Jones Racing.
“Our car was great yesterday right up to the point where we had the braking issues. We’re confident that is fixed so hopefully we can go out today and do the same thing.”
Race two will be contested over 78 laps this afternoon, and is set to commence at 14:35pm.
Updated: race officials investigated the clash between Fabian Coulthard and Garth Tander immediately following qualifying and have elected to issue no penalities to either driver.
