Motorsport: Coulthard keen to keep kicking on

Fabian Coulthard driver of the #12 Shell V-Power Racing Team Ford Falcon FGX. Photo / Getty Images

The Supercars championship roars back to life this weekend after a month-long winter break and Kiwi racer Fabian Coulthard is hoping to pick up where he left off.

The Shell V-Power Ford driver leads the championship by four points and is eager to turn around a poor personal record at Hidden Valley Raceway, near Darwin.

The 34-year-old thinks he and the car are well-suited to the small track. "It has not been the best place for me - we've had good speed but we just haven't been able to convert," Coulthard said.

"We've got a quick car. I feel like we've been to our bogey circuits in Perth and Tasmania and I think we have something to contend with.

"We need to keep an eye on our competition - we have some quick cars in PRA and Triple Eight."

Coulthard announced during the break he and partner Becky Lamb are expecting - with twins due later this year. "It is going to get pretty busy in my off-season a little later on in the year," he said with a laugh.

A frustrated Jamie Whincup is in the championship fight after climbing to second at the previous round in Winton but the six-time Supercars champion is frustrated that he is yet to win a race in 2017.

"Part of me is grateful that I am in championship contention," Whincup said.

"I am only 10 points off the lead. But the other part of me is very frustrated because I have not won a race yet. This part of the year is about going fast and winning races and that is what I am out to do. Sitting here without wins is very frustrating.

"It is not about consolidating points for me," he said. "It is about winning races. The fun bit is going out there and going hard. I want to win."

Whincup and his Red Bull Holden Racing teammate Shane van Gisbergen showcased improved speed compared to the Shell V-Power Fords last time out and should be fast on the Hidden Valley circuit where they've tasted success in recent seasons.

At the other end of the field, this weekend marks a year since Nissan last won a race in the championship.

Hidden Valley Raceway Facts
Located 10km from Darwin, Northern Territory
2.87km long
First Supercars race in 1998
20 visits since and 52 races
Mark Skaife is the most successful driver with eight wins
Triple Crown (both race wins and shootout win) has never been done

Herald Predictions
Driver to beat: Shane van Gisbergen has a great record at the small track
Dark Horse: Mark Winterbottom will push hard and has been fast here
Pressure On: Nissan - it has been 12 months since they last had a race win
Keep an eye on: Two streaks. Shell V-Power Racing is looking for seven straight pole positions this season while van Gisbergen has made 28 straight shoot-outs dating back to 2012.

Championship Standings
Fabian Coulthard 1060pts
Jamie Whincup 1056pts
Scott McLaughlin 1032pts
Shane van Gisbergen 1023pts
Chaz Mostert 861pts