Photo: V8 Supercars

Fabian Coulthard wins first Symmons Plains Super Sprint

Fabian Coulthard won the first double 60 km Super Sprint race of the season at Symmons Plains. The Lockwood Racing driver started and finished second in the first 60 km heat and was able to pass Jamie Whincup in the early parts of the second and final 60 km heat.

There had been a lot of carnage speculation ahead of the season with the rolling start of the second 60 km heat. But the field got through the start with more or less no incidents.

Whincup crossed the line in second, just one second behind Coulthard as Whincup had started to close in on the leader at the end as light rain started to fall.

Mark Winterbottom claimed the final podium position for Ford, ahead of Jason Bright and Garth Tander. Bright and Tander had a close fight, with the both being lucky not to sustain heavy damage as they made high-speed contact, resulting in Bright making a short jump in the air as he climbed the rear of Tander’s Holden.

Other drivers in trouble were Shane Van Gisbergen, finishing seventh in the end, and Craig Lowndes, finishing 26th. The both collided on the first lap of the first heat, resulting in a puncture and spin for Lowndes who also sustained technical problems.

Sunday features two 100 km races at Symmons Plains.