Starting a V8 Supercar race is no mean feat, as Lockwood Racing’s Nicolas Minassian found out at the Gold Coast today.
Initially Fabian Coulthard’s international co-driver nailed the tricky procedure, after being placed P7 in another stunning qualifying performance by Coulthard.
Behind him, however, James Hinchcliffe stalled, causing a red flag and lengthy delays. On the restart Minassian, who is more used to the rolling starts of the FIA World Endurance Championship, jumped early and then stalled as he backed off to redress.
Most cars speared right to get out of his way but an unsighted Franck Montagny did not see the stranded car and clipped the back, causing extensive damage to the left-hand side.
The crew is now working to have the car back to 100% for tomorrow’s qualifying, which starts at 11.15.
Fabian Coulthard
Lockwood Racing
“At the moment my luck is running in threes. Well technically I’ve served my three bad races in a row now so let’s move on from there!
“I’m pretty disappointed. Nicolas stalled on the grid and Montagny didn’t realize until the last minute and smashed the rear end of the car. Unfortunately that has finished our day of racing.
“The guys will repair the car tonight ready for tomorrow’s leg of the race.”
Nicolas Minassian
Lockwood Racing
“The red light was on for a very long time and the guy in front of me just moved and I moved with him. I realized the light was still red and I pulled the clutch back. When the clutch gets hot it doesn’t work. The car stalled and I was a sitting duck.
“I didn’t feel much of an impact; it felt just like a scrape and I didn’t think there was any damage that would prevent us from starting the race.
“I’m very disappointed and I’m sorry for Fabian and the team. Fabian did a good job today and unfortunately I screwed it up.”
2012 Armor All Gold Coast 600 – V8 Supercars – Races 22&23
SURFERS PARADISE STREET CIRCUIT
V8 SUPERCARS – Top Ten Shootout
01 Jamie Whincup, TeamVodafone, 1:11.6478
02 Will Davison, Trading Post FPR Ford, +0.2252
03 Rick Kelly, Jack Daniel’s Racing, +0.2363
04 Michael Caruso, Fujitsu Racing, +0.3103
05 Jonathon Webb, Tekno Autosports, +0.3104
06 Mark Winterbottom, Orrcon Steel FPR Ford, +0.3345
07 Fabian Coulthard, Lockwood Racing, +0.5422
08 Tony D’Alberto, Team Hiflex, +0.5775
09 James Courtney, Holden Racing Team, +0.7883
10 Shane Van Gisbergen, SP Tools Racing, +15.4123
2012 Armor All Gold Coast 600 – V8 Supercars – Races 22&23
SURFERS PARADISE STREET CIRCUIT
V8 SUPERCARS – Race 22
01 Jamie Whincup / Sebastien Bourdais, TeamVodafone
02 Jonathon Webb / Marc Lieb, Tekno Autosports
03 Mark Winterbottom / Will Power, Orrcon Steel FPR Ford
04 Garth Tander / Ryan Briscoe, Holden Racing Team
05 Tim Slade / David Brabham, Lucky 7 Racing
06 Craig Lowndes / Richard Lyons, TeamVodafone
07 James Courtney / Darren Turner, Holden Racing Team
08 Rick Kelly / Graham Rahal, Jack Daniels Racing
09 Russell Ingall / Peter Dumbrek, Supercheap Auto Racing
10 Shane Van Gisbergen / Jeroen Bleekemolen, SP Tools Racing
DNF Fabian Coulthard / Nicolas Minassian, Lockwood Racing
