Coulthard driving smart and fast at Tasmania

Fabian Coulthard put in another characteristic drive through the field to claim fifth in the final 200km race at Symmons Plains today.

After a podium in the second 100km race yesterday, Coulthard was left disappointed with an 11th place grid position.

It came as no surprise though, when Coulthard started his climb through the field; in every race this year he and the Lockwood Racing VF Commodore have made up places.

Fabian Coulthard, Brad Jones Racing

Photo by: Edge Photographics

This time, his canny racecraft, raw speed and pit strategy - later stops than those around him - moved Coulthard up to fifth nearing the end of the race.

Battling with Will Davison for fourth, Coulthard was close to a pass but locked up into the hairpin, losing the chance of claiming the position from the Erebus Mercedes.

Still, it was a stirring drive and more valuable points in the kitty as the championship moves to Winton for round three next weekend.

Fabian Coulthard

"It's good; to make amends for a poor qualifying position and get the car home in one piece were the priorities and we did that. I can't wait till we can qualify the car up front because we can definitely challenge for more podiums. The car is fast and the guys did a great job with the pitstops - it's pretty awesome. The sooner we can unlock the car speed in qualifying the better. We learnt a few things even in that race that could help us for qualifying. We'll knuckle down before Winton next weekend and build on what we've done so far."

Redbull's Craig Lowndes won race three from teammate Jamie Whincup and James Courtney.

Lockwood Racing