No slowing down for Coulthard

At the age of 35, Fabian Coulthard is certainly one of the Supercars veterans and he’ll be racing at the Bathurst 1000 for the 14th time this weekend.

He first took part in the Great Race for the first time in 2004 for Tasman Motorsport when he partnered Steven Richards and finished 21st.

Which was coincidently the last time a New Zealand main game driver won the Bathurst 1000, with Greg Murphy winning it for his fourth and final time.

Coulthard has seven Supercars race wins, but he’s never made the podium at the biggest race on the calendar.

His best finish being fourth in 2015 and his most memorable moment is the spectacular and also horrific looking crash at The Chase In 2010, which thankfully he was able to walk away from.

Even though he’s never done well at Mount Panorama, this year poses as his best opportunity yet, as his DJR Team Penske Holden is one of the quickest out there.

Unlike other drivers who tend to slow down with age, it could be suggested that Coulthard is reaching his peak.

No longer is he a wet behind the ears rookie, overwhelmed by big occasions, he has matured into a masterful and experienced driver.

‘‘As a kid you watch a lot of it on TV and you want to one day race at Bathurst,’’ Coulthard said, when asked how he’s changed over the years.

‘‘The first time coming and arriving at the track is pretty special, there’s an aura about it and rocking up to Bathurst on the Tuesday or Wednesday is pretty surreal. But the way I’ve changed, I’m more experienced now, you’re always learning and you never finish a lap and think you’ve absolutely nailed it.

‘‘There are always areas where you could have done better, but it’s one of those things where you improve the more times you do it.’’

One of Coulthard’s great talents is that as well as being quick, he knows when he should be taking risks or biding his time in races.

It’s a cliche, but it’s true that younger drivers in Supercars make more mistakes, while some of the older ones like Todd Kelly, Jason Bright and dare it be said, Craig Lowndes, seem content to place 15th these days.

Coulthard though gets the balance right.

‘‘You’re more calculated for sure, you understand the length of the race and what’s required as a driver to get to the finish,’’ he said of his maturity as a driver.

‘‘So you’re a bit more astute to the surroundings and you get more comfortable the more times you come here.’’

Coulthard goes into Bathurst in third place in the championship, 161 points behind compatriot and team-mate Scott Mclaughlin.

He’s not out of the running for the championship and while it will take a few big results and some bad luck going Scott Mclaughlin and Jamie Whincup’s way, he’s not giving up.

‘‘We’re in contention at this time of the year,’’ he said.

‘‘There’s obviously a lot of points on offer at the next two events and then more points in New Zealand and Newcastle.’’

So all still to play for with Coulthard then.