Racking up 400 Supercars starts the Coulthard way

SHELL V-power racing driver Fabian Coulthard will have one eye trained on the heavens today with forecast rain expected to add some spice to the Townsville 400.

Supercars drivers will take to the track at Reid Park for the first time today for two practice laps, ahead of the first race of the weekend tomorrow.

But with rain predicted for the weekend, the practice sessions could be even more vital as drivers get an understanding as to how the race surface will perform in the wet.

Coulthard, along with his DJR Team Penske engineers, will definitely be keeping a close eye on the performance of their Mustang.

“I can’t remember the last time we drove here in the wet,” Coulthard said. “It might have done it in a practice session (before), but it is the same conditions for everybody. If it rains, than it is wet for everyone.

“I think it goes back to a level playing field. All the information everyone has here on a wet track is very little, it could spice it up.”

It will be a special moment for the 36-year-old Kiwi, who will bring up his 400th Supercars race start in Sunday’s 70lap feature.

It is a 13-year career that has included stints with Paul Morris Motorsport, Paul Cruickshank Racing, Walkinshaw Racing and Brad Jones Racing but it is with the team at DJR Team Penske where he has felt his most stable in the car.

“It would be awesome (to win in the milestone race). There is lots of great memories throughout my career, I have driven for a lot of teams,” he said. “I love (Townsville). It is one of those tracks that rewards you (for) taking a bit of risk. Other tracks you can’t really attack, but this is one you really can. It is cool, it is 85 per cent purpose built for us but there is a few public roads we can use.”

Coulthard enters the Townsville 400 weekend second on the Supercars Championship leaderboard 319 points adrift of DJR teammate Scott Mclaughlin.