Motorsport: Coulthard fastest in Ipswich practice

Fabian Coulthard of Team DJR Penski during the Coates Hire Ipswich SuperSprint. Photo / V8 Supercars

It was just practice but Ford driver Fabian Coulthard is hoping Friday's Queensland Raceway display is the start of a Supercars' turnaround.

The New Zealander topped the timesheets in practice for the Ipswich SuperSprint event, clocking a fastest lap of one minute and 09.7061 seconds on the 3.12km circuit.

After a tough couple of events in Darwin and Townsville, Coulthard has laid down a marker for DJR/Team Penske as they prepare to race on their home track.

Since American motorsport legend Roger Penske teamed up with Dick Johnson to race in Supercars at the start of last year, their best results have been a trio of third-placed finishes.

Coulthard has delivered two of those podiums since his switch to the team at the start of the year and he says he's aiming to make it a regular outcome for the outfit.

"We've definitely had good car speed at times," Coulthard said.

"We just need to make that a regular occurrence.

"Look for top fives on a regular basis and, obviously, the championship will get better as we progress."