Motorsport: Coulthard revved up for strong result at Pukekohe

Fabian Coulthard. Photo / Mark Horsburgh, EDGE PHOTOGRAPHICS

V8 Supercars leading Kiwi hope Fabian Coulthard has his sights on a strong finish at Pukekohe this weekend.

Coulthard is fifth on the point's table behind Garth Tander, David Reynolds, Craig Lowndes and series leader Mark Winterbottom.

Prodrive Racing's Winterbottom has a tidy lead of 258 points over Lowndes - less than the 300 up for grabs over a race weekend. However, only 245 points separate the next four drivers.

Coulthard has some good memories of racing at Pukekohe and reckons he'll be able to rattle a few doors this weekend as well. He's finished inside the top 10 in seven of the eight races held at Pukekohe in the past two years.

"It'll be good to be back racing in New Zealand in front of a big turnout of Kiwi fans," said Coulthard.

"It was a great outcome for the All Blacks against the Aussies, but there won't be any added incentive racing at Pukekohe. We're [Kiwis and Aussies] going at it hammer and tongs every time we race."

Pukekohe Park Raceway returned to the V8 Supercars calendar in 2013 after a $7 million dollar upgrade.

A range of works were undertaken, including the addition of three new corners on the back straight that extended the circuit length from 2.84km to 2.91km.