Freightliner Racing’s Fabian Coulthard remains the fastest V8 Supercar driver around Mount Panorama, but he’s lowered the number even further in practice at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
Coulthard’s team erupted with excitement when 2min05.4786sec popped up on the timing screens, proving his Holden Commodore fast ahead of Sunday’s Great Race.
The Kiwi set a 2min05.6080 lap in qualifying last year – and today managed to go 0.129sec quicker in the day’s final practice session.
“You could tell by the first practice it was going to be a pretty quick day – I thought, ‘the lap record will be broken at some point today’ and I’m glad it’s me who did it,” an elated Coulthard said.
“We’ve been going through the motions, struggling a little bit, but put the tyres on and I’m pretty happy.”
When the Commodore is performing that well is a great feeling, Coulthard said.
“It’s cool, really cool … it just does everything you expect of it.
“I knew it was going to be a good lap, it just did everything I expected.”
Almost as incredible is that Mark Winterbottom was 0.0998sec behind in second in the Prodrive Falcon, with David Reynolds not far away in third.
It was a smooth session at Mount Panorama, with a handful of co-drivers jumping behind the wheel in the final open session to get a feel for the car at the final opportunity.
Chaz Mostert again was quick, finishing in fourth and 0.0007sec away from Reynolds. Shane van Gisbergen also cracked the top five.
