Ford Performance Mustang Supercar takes definitive victory at Perth SuperNight

Ford Performance Mustang Supercar achieves a 1-2-3 finish in Race 11 of the 2019 Virgin Australian Supercars Championship, led by Shell V-Power Racing’s Fabian Coulthard and Scott McLaughlin, with SuperCheap Auto Racing’s Chaz Mostert third for Tickford Racing
Scott McLaughlin achieved his eighth victory for Shell V-Power Racing in 2019, with Tickford Racing’s Cameron Waters posting a strong third place in the Monster Energy #6 Mustang at the historic Barbagallo Raceway in Perth in Race 12
Shell V-Power Racing’s Scott McLaughlin extends his lead in the series to 142 points after five rounds in the #17 Ford Performance Mustang ahead of team-mate Fabian Coulthard, with Tickford Racing’s Chaz Mostert in fifth with 944 points.
A strong Ford presence in Perth included global motorsport director Mark Rushbrook, and Ford Australia and New Zealand President and CEO Kay Hart, in support of the Mustang teams.

Melbourne, May 6, 2019 – The Ford Performance Mustang Supercar has seen Shell V-Power Racing and Tickford Racing take home the silverware after a fantastic night-racing spectacle for Round 5 of the 2019 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, the Pirtek Perth SuperNight.

Held at the historic Barbagallo Raceway in Western Australia, a closely-fought battle across the two-race weekend saw both Fabian Coulthard and team-mate Scott McLaughlin from Shell V-power Racing add to Mustang’s win tally, and strong results from Tickford Racing with a podium finish in both Race 11 and Race 12 of the series.

“This was a great weekend from the teams, and shows the dedication, hard work and professionalism of our partners in Shell V-Power Racing Team and Tickford Racing,” said Ford Australia and New Zealand President and CEO Kay Hart. “The grit and determination saw a hard-fought victory and a stunning 1-2-3 in Friday night’s race. We’re so proud of the teams and what they have achieved with Mustang so far.”

The #17 Shell V-Power Racing Mustang of Scott McLaughlin scored pole position for both of the event’s races – establishing a new qualifying and race record for the Perth circuit – however it was team-mate Fabian Coulthard in the #12 Mustang who led home a one-two-three finish ahead of McLaughlin and Tickford Racing’s Chaz Mostert in Race 11. The win was Coulthard’s second of the year, following his first 2019 victory in Race 10 at Phillip Island in April.

It was McLaughlin who won Race 12 from pole position, with Tickford Racing’s Cameron Waters in the #6 Monster Energy Racing Mustang finishing in a superb third place for the Tickford Racing’s second podium of the weekend.

“We have worked so hard alongside Shell V-Power Racing and Tickford Racing, so to come to Perth and see Mustang in such competive form is such a great feeling,” said Ford Performance Director, Global Motorsport, Mark Rushbrook. “We saw a stunning debut weekend in Adelaide earlier in the year, and it’s great to see that the teams haven’t stopped developing and honing their Mustangs to get more and more from them. It’s a testament to their skill and dedication, and we’re absolutely rapt at their focus and ability, which is why we’re such proud partners with them in Supercars.”

The win for McLaughlin sees him extend his championship lead to 142 points over team-mate Coulthard, with Shell V-Power Racing leading the teams’ championship with 2490 points. From 12 races so far in 2019, Shell V-Power Racing has claimed victory in all but two of them, with McLaughlin’s title defence off to a strong start.

“It’s just been a great weekend,” said Shell V-Power Racing co-owner, Roger Penske. “To see the reliability of the Mustang, the speed of the Mustang and all of the issues we had to get the car to where the officials wanted it … It’s dynamic duo with these two guys [McLaughlin and Coulthard], and with Ford’s support and the new Mustang what can we say – just a world-class weekend.”

Tickford Racing’s Chaz Mostert qualifed on the second-row for both races, with a strong third in Race 11, which was backed up by team-mate Cameron Waters standing on the final step of the podium for Race 12. With Waters third, Tickford team-mates Will Davison in the Milwaukee Racing #23 Mustang and Lee Holdsworth in the #5 Bottle-O Mustang finshed eighth and ninth. Holdsworth’s result was made all the more impressive after starting 22nd on the grid for the Saturday evening twilight race.

“We’re thrilled to have Cam back on the podium, he’s had a couple get away from him this year so it’s great to see him lift a trophy,” said Tickford Racing co-owner, Rod Nash. “Will and Lee did tremendous jobs coming through the field; seven Top Tens and two podiums from two races is a very good result, and we look forward to going for more at Winton.”

Round 6 of the 2019 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship will be held between 24 – 26 May with the Truck Assist Winton SuperSprint in Victoria. Tickets can be purchased via supercars.com.au