Motorsport: Coulthard content with improved showing

Scott Pye and Fabian Coulthard during the ITM Auckland SuperSprint. Photo / Getty Images

An improved showing at Pukekohe Park Raceway over the weekend has seen Kiwi Supercars driver Fabian Coulthard move to the verge of a top 10 championship finish.

The DJR Team Penske driver collected finishes of 11th, 4th, 5th and 8th across the weekend and lies just 12 points behind 10th place Garth Tander heading to the final round at Sydney next month.

While frustrated that he didn't have the speed in the Ford to match it with the dominant Red Bull Racing pair of Shane van Gisbergen and Jamie Whincup in race mode he is pleased to bank a solid haul of points.

"We got off the line well in the MAN Ford but just did not have the pace to race with guys around me in either race," Coulthard says. "It was better to concede in some cases to ensure we could get good points in both 35 lap races.

"Overall for the team it was a pretty good weekend, with Scotty [teammate Scott Pye] getting a podium in the first race.

"It is a good thing for all the guys on the team who have worked so hard over the recent weeks.

"The last round in Sydney sees us back on a street circuit so we will work on tuning up my car for the final races."

Pye matched his best career result by collecting second in Sunday's first race - a beneficiary of the two Red Bull Racing teammates colliding early in the race.

"I made a good start in the first race and once the two Red Bull guys took each other out, it was about managing the tyres on the MAN Ford and trying to maximize the speed over the 35 laps," Pye said.

"I was able to get a bit of a gap at the start and maintain it. I think there were a few mistakes from guys behind me so it allowed us to open the gap even more, which gave me a good chance to save the tyres until the end and get back on the podium."