Triple X driver Baird named in New Year honours list

Triple X Motorsport Porsche driver Craig Baird has been named in the 2010 New Year honours list for services to motorsport.

Currently on holiday north of Auckland, the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi says today’s announcement is a humbling acknowledgment of his 21 New Zealand motor race championship titles.

“This is the sort of thing you joke about as a kid to one day be named by the Queen – so for her to regard what I’ve done is an honour in itself,” he said.

“It’s been a very special year, not only cracking the 21 championship title mark, but to also be awarded the prestigious Jim Clark Trophy and a Special Citation Award at the Motorsport New Zealand awards dinner in May was a pretty big deal.”

With his first New Zealand title aged 15, Baird has a long and illustrious motor-race career in many classes and countries around the world. Currently the leader in the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge driving for Auckland based Triple X Motorsport, Baird also races in the NZ V8 series for father-in-law Gary Pedersen.

Occasionally joined track-side by wife Louise and his two children, Baird thanks all those around him who have helped him along the way.

“We all know and keep saying it’s a team sport – and that is so true. Without my wife behind me and the likes of Triple X Motorsport I wouldn’t be adding championship titles and be recognised in such a special way.”

Thrilled to hear the news, Triple X Motorsport entertainment director Michael Morton says the team always look forward to working with Baird and his family and today’s announcement reinforces what they aim to achieve:

“It’s a very special moment for the team and everyone involved. To be recognised for his professionalism and past results puts a cap on what has been a great year for Craig. Success breeds success and there is no doubt you need to have the right people around you – especially when you’re starting a new team and want to bring drivers through. Craig has the perfect blend of personality, professionalism and work/life balance that helps us get on and deliver results.”

Preparing for the 2010 leg of the summer championship season, Baird and the Triple X Motorsport team head south in the early New Year for two back-to-back race weekends starting with Teretonga 15 January, followed by Timaru 22-24 January.

Triple X sign Bamber, Webling and Australian Wootton for Toyota Racing Series

Auckland based Triple X Motorsport have confirmed drivers Earl Bamber (Wanganui) Stefan Webling (New Plymouth) and Chris Wootton (Brisbane) have joined their team to contest the five-round Toyota Racing Series starting mid-January in Invercargill.

Following victory in the 2009 New Zealand Grand Prix that helped elevate Daniel Gaunt to a full-time V8 Supercar position, the team expands its line-up to contest the full championship season. Former A1GP Malaysia and Formula one engineer Greg Wheeler will provide technical expertise to a team headed by A1 Team New Zealand mechanic Mark Pilcher.

In a deal that puts A1GP driver Bamber back in the Toyota series, the 19-year-old will drive the Mad Butcher sponsored Toyota FT40 open-wheel car that won the 2009 New Zealand Grand Prix.

Finishing second behind Daniel Gaunt in that race, Bamber says his decision to join Triple X Motorsport was based on a number of factors that included past performance.

"When they came and did the Grand Prix earlier this year and won it as a one-off event - they showed they have the right personnel and team to do the job," said Bamber.

"I think the team's attitude to winning races, championships and trophies - no matter what sort of car is what I'm all about - I also want to race cars and win races."

"Plus they have Mark Pilcher who I worked with in the A1 team - so there is good continuity already."

"Obviously the goal for the season is to win the championship, having finished second last time. So we're out to go one better and retain the New Zealand Grand Prix title for the team as well."

For 21-year-old Stefan Webling, the Toyota Racing Series is a step forward having finished third in last season's Formula Ford series. Bolstering his early links with the team, where he was supported by team partner VnC Cocktails, Webling is also supported by Horizon Energy Services Ltd and Miles Toyota, Christchurch.

"We considered other options," said Webling of his decision to join the team. "We know Triple X are a front running team which was proven by winning the Grand Prix last year so it was the best decision for us. Plus also having the opportunity to run beside international drivers made it a really good package."

Having raced the wings and slicks Toyota at Hamilton earlier this year, Webling's performance at the tricky venue has him confident for the coming season: "Obviously rookie of the year is our main aim. While it will be a learning year we are going for results - not only for the team, but ourselves."

Adding to the international dimension of the Toyota Racing Series, Chris Wootton, a 21-year-old from Brisbane, joins the team as a front-runner from the Formula BMW Asia/Pacific series that Bamber won in 2006.

With aspirations of Formula One, Wootton says his goal of racing in Europe in 2010 requires continual race fitness - on offer during the off-season with New Zealand's Toyota Racing Series programme.

Following two seasons of racing in the Formula BMW Pacific Series, Chris is continuing a family racing heritage that now treks trans-Tasman for a first visit to New Zealand.

With the series officially starting on Friday 15 January, the trio will have two 30 minute practise sessions at the world’s most southern race venue – Teretonga, near Invercargill. Accumulated data will be used to hone driver tactic and car setup ahead of Saturday’s qualifying for the first of three races around the 2.61 kilometre circuit. Southland's historic "spirit of a nation" trophy is also contested in the weekends feature race.

The series then moves on to the second round the following weekend at Timaru raceway.

Calendar 2010 Toyota Racing Series:
Round Date Venue
1 (International) 15-17 January 2010 Teretonga
2 (International) 22-24 January 2010 Timaru
3 (International) 5-7 February 2010 Hampton Downs
4 (International) 12-14 February 2010 Manfeild (NZGP)
5 (Final) 19-21 March 2010 Taupo

Triple X Motorsport driver Gaunt signs for V8 Supercar series

Auckland based Triple X Motorsport driver Daniel Gaunt has been signed to race in multi-year V8 Supercar deal with Lucas Dumbrell Racing.

Currently second overall in the 2009/2010 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge driving the Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997, 24-year-old Gaunt will drive the former V8 Supercar championship winning Holden of Garth Tander. With the V8 series expected to kick-off in Dubai one week after Gaunt’s penultimate round of the Porsche Cup, he will return to complete his Triple X season that ends at Taupo mid-March.

Having contested the Fujitsu V8 Supercar series with McElrea Racing in 2009, team director Michael Morton says Gaunt has again been able to launch from Triple X Motorsport to the ultimate in driver openings.

“This is one of those opportunities many spend their lives chasing. From Triple X Motorsport where Daniel has won the New Zealand Grand Prix and placed third in last season’s Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, he has been able to add full-time V8 Supercar driver to his CV,” he said.

“It is the aim of the team to foster younger drivers so they can spring-board to other opportunities – giving greater exposure for the Triple X Motorsport partners such as Mad Butcher.”

Gaunt gets his first look at the car late in January after he has completed the two back-to-back Porsche race weekends in the South Island. Currently hands-on with preparations for the team to depart for the South Island in the early New Year, Gaunt says it has been a whirl-wind week that brought the deal together.

“It’s come about so quickly – right when we are very busy here at Triple X Motorsport getting ready for the South Island tour.”

“Triple X are about fun and getting results – it makes you feel good about racing. That opens opportunities like it has with V8 Supercars, so getting the deal together was a team effort, for a lifetime opportunity with Lucas Dumbrell Racing.”

For Dumbrell, Gaunt seemed the obvious choice given his results in the past season: “I’ve been aware of Daniel’s performance – and not just in tin-top cars. So he’s versatile and someone I can work with – especially when you’re putting a team together for the long haul,” said Dumbrell from his newly established team base in Melbourne, Australia.

Having recently acquired a franchise licence to gain entry to the V8 Supercar series, Dumbrell is overseeing the entire operation – to launch early in 2010.

Reynolds takes third Porsche win for Triple X

V8 Supercar driver David Reynolds has taken his third successive victory at this weekend’s second round of the New Zealand Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series, leading his Triple X team to a one-two for the Ruapuna weekend.

Having not driven a Porsche race car since finishing second overall in the previous season standings, the 24-year-old Melbourne race car driver made a late return, beating his championship leading team-mate in both of today’s sprint races to second.

Driving the Hampsta/Indians Bar Porsche 997, Reynolds won the late Sunday morning ten-lap, using two new tyres in a weather strategy that put him well ahead of the 14-car field.

Second, Craig Baird in the Mad Butcher ZM car had an opposite strategy, saving his tyre allocation for the afternoon top-six reverse grid race – planning to optimise his chances for a dry track.

While the weather had improved from Saturday’s wet race, conditions changed early in the afternoon that saw a return of the rain just as the cars started the 14-lap top-six reverse-grid finale. Starting from pole position, Daniel Gaunt in the Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997 was overtaken by Reynolds in the run to the first turn, settling for third in the early stages. As the rain continued to fall, officials declared an early finish, rather than force teams to switch to wet-weather tyres.

“I got a fantastic start,” said Reynolds of his race. “That new carbon clutch in the car is almost like starting a V8 Supercar. The race panned out well; I went round the outside at the first corner, put my head down, pulled a gap and played it smart. Halliday, who was behind me, went off briefly and that gave me an even better gap – so I could relax and just concentrate on bringing it home.”

Starting from dead-last in the championship, Reynolds is now placed seventh having missed the first three races in the new season: “It’s unfortunate I missed the first round – but the idea is to end up on the podium before the finish, helping the Triple X Team to another championship one-two-three by winning as many races I can.”

Extending his lead overall, defending champion Craig Baird has a 102 point lead over second placed and team-mate Daniel Gaunt.

“I could only just hang on to the car out there, so concentrated on just finishing – it’s too early in the championship to take risks when I was going to extend my position,” said Baird in transition from his Porsche to the V8 he is also campaigning this season.

“We had a tyre strategy for the reverse-grid race so to see the rain was really disappointing, but it’s great to have David back and help the team again in the championship.”

Finishing eighth this morning, team principal Shane McKillen in the VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997 started just behind David Reynolds in the final race – finishing tenth in poor visibility.

A ninth in the morning race by Christchurch car dealer Paul Kelly, a switch to wet-weather tyres during the first lap of the afternoon race allowed him to climb from last to seventh.

Following yesterday’s crash in qualifying, Auckland’s Courtney Letica remains in Christchurch hospital, under observation for concussion and is receiving treatment for a lower-leg fracture.

Wishing the 21-year-old a speedy recovery, the team have been making repairs to his Altherm Porsche 997 to allow transport to the Auckland based workshop. Packing the remaining five cars, the Triple X Motorsport team will return to the South Island early in the New Year for two successive weekends’ of racing, starting with Teretonga near Invercargill January 15-17, and then Timaru January 22-24.

# # #

Points: Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge – top 11 after round of two.

Pos, car, driver, home, points
1 1 Craig Baird – Triple X - Queensland 546
2 3 Daniel Gaunt – Triple X - Auckland 444
3 9 Matt Halliday USA 436
4 21 Jonny Reid Auckland 430
5 96 Anthony Pedersen Rotorua 394
6 32 Mitch Cunningham Auckland 306
7 82 David Reynolds – Triple X - Melbourne 300
8 5 Andrew Bagnall Auckland 285
9 8 Simon McLennan Wellington 242
10 26 Simon Evans Auckland 238
11 11 Shane McKillen – Triple X - Auckland 237

Reynolds wins Porsche race for Triple X

From pole position, Melbourne’s David Reynolds has won today’s Mad Butcher 100 kilometre Porsche race at Ruapuna Park Raceway near Christchurch, despite harrowing pressure from defending series champion and current points leader Craig Baird.

The second round of the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series, Reynolds in the Hampsta/Indians Bar Porsche 997 was overtaken at the quarter-mark by Triple X Motorsport team-mate Craig Baird, in the Mad Butcher/ZM Porsche. However, a slow exit by Baird during the compulsory pit-stop returned Reynolds to the lead, while the Queensland based Kiwi fought hard to reduce the deficit to within 0.283 of a second at the chequered flag.

“I was probably pushing too hard for the amount of grip I had,” admitted Reynolds at only just snaring victory.

“Craig is very fast around here and I was lucky the way it turned out. The pit-stop was good, my in and out laps were okay and I held the gap – although one more lap I would have either speared off or Craig would have gotten past.”

Scoring his first points for the six round championship season, Reynolds places 12th following the double-points race this afternoon, while Baird extends his overall lead.

Making it a team one-two-three for the first few laps of the race, Daniel Gaunt in the Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997 later lost his track advantage, with a badly flat spotted tyre, finishing sixth to maintain a comfortable second in the overall standings.

“I had a good start, but got a bit ahead of myself and made an unfortunate mistake early on while staying with David and Craig. I locked the left-front wheel at turn-one on lap five, before doing it again at the same spot on the tyre that took it through to the canvas. So either I pitted early and faced two stops or stayed out and lost some track position,” said the 24-year-old.
Team principal Shane McKillen finished seventh in the VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997, pleased with the outcome despite being spun around by a chasing competitor and having to make two pitstops, one for a puncture and the other his compulsory stop.

Christchurch’s Paul Kelly had a nightmare start to his weekend. After spinning off on the third lap the Paul Kelly Motor Company Porsche 997 failed to restart, with a faulty battery.
Expecting improving weather for Sunday’s two races, the weekend concludes with the top-six reverse grid 14-lap race mid-afternoon.

Results: Race one – the Mad Butcher 100 Ruapuna 28 November (top-ten)
1 8 David Reynolds – Triple X 42:44.074
2 1 Craig Baird – Triple X +0.283
3 21 Matt Halliday +12.046
4 9 Jonny Reid +26.918
5 96 Ant Pedersen +27.368
6 3 Daniel Gaunt – Triple X +50.936
7 2 Shane McKillen – Triple X +1 Lap
8 26 Simon McLennan +1 Lap
9 11 Simon Evans +2 Laps
10 82 Andrew Bagnall +3 Laps

Reynolds tops Porsche qualifying

Triple X Motorsport driver David Reynolds has made a storming return to the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series by setting fastest time in today’s qualifying for the second round of the championship.

Dreary wet conditions held during the late morning session at the Ruapuna Park circuit near Christchurch didn’t dampen the ability of the Melbourne based V8 Supercar driver. Reynolds, in the Hampsta/Indians Bar Porsche 997 beat current series leader and team-mate Craig Baird (Mad Butcher/ZM Porsche 997) by nearly half a second.

“It’s great; to not have driven these cars for so long and get pole is pretty awesome and good for the team. Although I really thought I was done for after giving the tyres a hard time in the morning practise,” said Reynolds.

“I was stressing a fair bit I’d damaged them and they’d be no good. So during the session I just hoped they’d clean up, not knowing what grip level they’d provide. And while edges had been taken away, the car setup wasn’t too bad for the conditions. Even though I did make some mistakes on my good lap – I was very surprised to be told I had fastest time. To be honest, I could have done better - It was just about relaxing, driving it smooth, drive it on the limit and minimise the over steer.”

Having locked out the front row of the afternoon Mad Butcher 100 kilometre race, the pair will be followed by Daniel Gaunt in the Hampsta/Placemakers Porsche 997 from the second row, for three Triple X Motorsport cars in the top-four.

Starting six cars from the pit-side paddock, the team were knocked to five when rookie driver Courtney Letica slid from the greasy track on his first full lap of the 3.33 kilometre circuit. Impacting with the embankment, Letica’s Altherm Porsche 997 gained speed on the wet grass, contacting awkwardly with the front-left corner. The 21-year-old sustained concussion from the accident, disappointed following a strong opening round at Pukekohe earlier this month.
Team principal Shane McKillen set tenth fastest time in the VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997 with Christchurch local Paul Kelly 11th, saying he just wanted to set a clean lap in difficult conditions.

Expecting continually improving weather conditions, the afternoon race starts at 5:30pm, with the 100 kilometres and 29-laps expected to take 40 minutes to complete.

Reynolds returns to Porsche race series

Melbourne based V8 Supercar driver David Reynolds has confirmed his immediate return to Triple X Motorsport to contest the remaining five rounds of the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series.

Making a last-minute trip across the Tasman for this weekend’s second round of the championship at Ruapuna, near Christchurch, Reynolds will drive the car previously campaigned by Mad Butcher CEO Michael Morton.

Date clashes between the V8 Supercar and New Zealand based summer race series meant Reynolds couldn’t previously commit, however changes to his Australian programme allowed him to negotiate a weekend pass.

“My V8 Supercar entry is pretty uncertain at the moment; the team has known I wanted to do the New Zealand championship as well and with things up in the air believed I could try both,” said the 24-year-old as he completed seat adjustments to drive the #8 Hampsta/Indians Bar Porsche 997.

“I love the Triple X team, these Porsche cars and I have a really good time. It gives me something to do in the off season, January/February when everyone else is training and I’m out there racing. Plus it’s good to keep my mind sharp and keep focussed,” he added.

Having not raced a Porsche since finishing runner-up to Triple X Motorsport team-mate Craig Baird in last year’s championship, Reynolds says he has some catch-up to do: “I want to get used to my car this weekend. Last year I got bumped off by Craig here at Ruapuna, so I want to make amends to that – do a bit better job.”

With the Triple X Motorsport team currently first, second and third in the standings after the opening round, Reynolds says additional competition from former A1GP drivers Jonny Reid and Matt Halliday adds to his focus.

“I’ve never raced against either of them before in a Porsche. And though Craig won the first two races this season, I’ve beaten Craig previously.”

Expecting the fine warm weather to pass in the build-up to the weekend of race action at Ruapuna, Reynolds has two practise sessions today before qualifying for tomorrow’s Mad Butcher 100 kilometre race in the afternoon.

Sunday returns to the sprint format, with a ten-lap race late morning, followed by the afternoon top-six reverse grid 14-lap finale.

Porsche titan team-mates to clash at Ruapuna

Porsche Championship leading Triple X Motorsport is expecting the second round at Christchurch’s Powerbuilt Tools Ruapuna Raceway to be an internal quest of dominance this coming weekend (28-29 November).

Currently first, second and third in the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge standings after the first round, the Auckland based defending title champions and five-car team have an early march on the 16-car field.

Headed by Queensland based Kiwi Craig Baird in the #1 ZM/Mad Butcher Porsche 997 on 285 points, he has a 30 point buffer over Auckland’s Daniel Gaunt, who says the technical nature of the Ruapuna circuit makes it the most challenging of the six-round series.

“It’s a very tough track to piece the perfect lap together. For instance a lot of the corners lead in to other corners, so if you’re too greedy on one you have a bit to make up on the next one. So it’s a very give-and-take circuit you have to think about to get a good lap,” said the 24-year old driver of the #3 Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997.

Gaunt highlights the driving style of team-mate and championship leader Craig Baird as perfectly suited to the mid-Canterbury circuit. Run clock-wise and 3.33 kilometres in length, it’s largely flat nature has a variety of left and right corners of varying styles that exercises driver skill.

“Bairdo seems to be extremely quick at Ruapuna, more so than anywhere else. It just suits his driving style and I think he will be the benchmark again this weekend. So to me the best pick is to follow that style and put my neck on the block. He is tough to beat and if there is a year I want to do it more than ever it’s this year, so I’m not content with second at all. I want to win some races and I’d like that to start with Ruapuna – even by taking a few more risks.”

Third, from his best ever race weekend in the series, Auckland 21-year-old Courtney Letica in the #5 Altherm Porsche 997, rose above internationals Jonny Reid and Matt Halliday at the season opener. Making sizable gains in performance from the data shared by team-mates Baird and Gaunt, Letica doesn’t have as much experience at Ruapuna following his first Porsche drive there ending badly.

Team principal and Auckland businessman Shane McKillen (#2 VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997) suffered from a first race bump at Pukekohe that bent his rear suspension. Ever since, he has been on the back-foot to catch-up the deficit from the double-points season-opening race. Trailing team entertainment manager Mike Morton (#8 Hampsta/Indians Bar Porsche 997) overall, the pair are more 170 points behind their younger front-runners.

Additionally, making for six cars, Christchurch’s Paul Kelly will run the #90 Porsche 997 from the Triple X Motorsport pit-side area, sharing in the team’s expertise for the car dealership owner.

Starting with two practise sessions on Friday, the day ends with hot-laps for promotion competition winners before Saturday morning’s qualifying session just prior to the lunch break.
The race action is headlined by the ‘Mad Butcher 100’ on Saturday afternoon. The 100 kilometre race features a compulsory pit-stop where two tyres on the car must be changed.

While the Porsche uses a single wheel nut, making the change quick, rules stipulate the wheel nut must be check torqued following its tightening by the gas-powered impact gun. With only two people allowed to do the task, they must also reinstall the wheel-nut safety clip before it is lowered from the in-board air-jacks and allowed to re-join the race. Taking approximately 20 seconds to complete, the race can be won or lost in the process with the finish margin between Baird and Gaunt at the end of the first 100 kilometre race a mere 0.377 seconds.

Sunday returns to the sprint format, with a ten-lap race late morning, followed by the afternoon top-six reverse grid 14-lap finale.

Chasing for a total of 300 points spread across the three races, it also concludes the final event for 2009, before a two-in-two weekend journey between Timaru and Invercargill in mid-January.

Weekend race programme for Porsche GT3 Cup cars – Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna Park, Hasketts Rd.

Friday 27 November
12:00 Porsche GT3 Cup - test session 1
15:45 Porsche GT3 Cup - test session 2

Saturday 28 November
12:05 20mins Porsche GT3 Cup – qualifying
17:30 Porsche GT3 Cup - Race 1 - 29laps

Sunday 29 November
11:40 Porsche GT3 Cup - Race 2 - 10laps
15:55 Porsche GT3 Cup- Race 3 - 14laps - Top 6 reverse

Win and championship lead for Porsche team

Triple X Motorsport has won the opening round of the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge at Pukekohe this weekend with race winner Craig Baird leading the five car team to secure three cars in the top three spots.

Following a dramatic race win during the Mad Butcher 100 on Saturday afternoon, Baird secured a double during the Sunday morning 12-lap sprint race.
Starting from fifth position for the afternoon 16-lap top-six reverse grid race, Baird finished third behind Matt Halliday and Jonny Reid to lead his team to one-two-three in the championship standings.

“We had to look after our weekend points and series lead, to do anything else was not who we are,” said Baird after he climbed from the ZM Mad Butcher Porsche and straight in to his V8 Touring Car.

“Really as long as our top three cars came home in the top-six of the race we had the weekend and first round of the championship sewn up. We had a good buffer on everyone, but if we didn’t finish the afternoon race we’d be back with everyone else.”

Finishing behind Baird in all of the weekend races, Auckland based V8 Supercar driver Daniel Gaunt has a strong-hold on his championship placing behind the five-time defending champion Baird.

“I guess starting alongside Craig from the third row; it was always going to be a big ask to get ahead of the guys in front of us. But I think we picked off who we could and while I would have liked to get past Craig, you could see in the way I managed to detach his rear bumper, obviously not on purpose, we had a fast car for the race,” said the 24-year-old.

Third, well ahead of more internationally experienced drivers, 21-year-old business account manager Courtney Letica paid tribute to the Triple X Motorsport team and its experience in its third year of operation.

“This is exactly the reason I need to be with this team, I’m in a championship placing well ahead of my top-five plan,” he said. “With Craig and Daniel fighting for top positions I’m happy to tag along and learn while staying ahead of the opposition,” he said.

“A great start for the season; I’m very happy with the job the boys have done and couldn’t have asked for anything more. Having Jonny Reid and Matt Halliday next door has made the guys focus, lift their game and prove we are the team to beat this summer,” said team principal Shane McKillen, finishing the final race in seventh.

With three weeks until the next round of six in the season, the team have an island hopping journey to race the Big Ben 200 at Ruapuna near Christchurch (28-29 November).

Triple X team lock-out Pukekohe podium

Today’s opening race in the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge has seen three of the five Triple X Motorsport cars lock-out the podium during the Mad Butcher 100 kilometre race at Pukekohe.

Starting from the front row, defending series champion Craig Baird (Mad Butcher/ ZM Porsche 997) battled with pole-sitter Matt Halliday for the majority of the 36-lap race, with the pit-stop the first chance for Baird to take advantage.

Instead the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi lost time but gained clear track, easing past a Halliday mistake and on to an emphatic race victory from team-mates Daniel Gaunt (Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997) with Courtney Letica (Altherm Porsche 997) third.

“If it was a sprint race I was going to try get my way and pass Matt. He was pretty adamant he wanted to keep the position as he kept trying to run me off the road, which is why he got the bad sportsmanship flag. So I thought being a long race and having practised our pit stops I could take my time a bit. But I ended up getting a dud stop which took us out of that challenging position and having to catch back up. But the car was mega fast – it was very very good and when Matt took himself out I backed off and just got it home to the end,” said Baird after Halliday drove in to the front wheel of a slower car.

For Letica, it was a result beyond his game-plan: “I was out to achieve a top consistent position and get points from the first race, anywhere from where I qualified in fifth and upwards was more than preferable,” said the 21 year-old Aucklander.

“Then I got in to a battle with Jonny Reid for a few laps before getting the better of him.”

Mad Butcher CEO Mike Morton in the Indians Bar/Hampsta Porsche 997 finished 11th while Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997) had a coming together in the opening laps. A knock to his rear wheel bent a rear suspension arm putting out the alignment.

Results: Mad Butcher 100 (Pukekohe 7 November 2009) – top ten
1 Craig Baird, Queensland, (Mad Butcher/ ZM Porsche 997) 36:17.936
2 Daniel Gaunt, Auckland, (Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997) +0.377
3 Courtney Letica, Auckland, (Altherm Porsche 997) +17.826
4 Jonny Reid +18.003
5 Anthony Pedersen +22.083
6 Mitch Cunningham +46.175
7 Matt Halliday +1 Lap
8 Andrew Bagnall +1lap 10.299
9 Hugh Gardiner +1lap 13.839

Baird on front row for Porsche race

Opening the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge season at Pukekohe this weekend, defending champion Craig Baird qualified for a front-row start in the Triple X Motorsport ZM Mad Butcher Porsche 997.

Fastest in early race weekend practise, the Queensland based Kiwi set second fastest time, a 57.251 second lap around the 2.84 kilometre Pukekohe Park Raceway south of Auckland, to be 0.129sec behind pace-setter Matt Halliday.

Fastest of the five-car Auckland based Triple X Motorsport team, 39-year-old Baird isn’t concerned about starting on the outside at the first turn.

“That’s the race line, so starting from the left of the front row is the better result”, he said.

“I would have rather been fastest, but with the short session there were so many guys trying to beat you in to turn one when they came out of the pit lane on cold tyres I never got a clear lap.”

While Baird topped the time sheets for most of the session, the progressively dropping lap times saw team drivers Daniel Gaunt (Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997) and Courtney Letica (Altherm Porsche 997) feature in the top tier.

Finishing fourth fastest, Gaunt echoed Baird’s start position comment, noting the late afternoon race largely negates the emphasis placed on qualifying.

Fifth fastest, Courtney Letica headed team bosses Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997) and Mike Morton (Indians Bar/Hampsta Porsche 997), setting eighth and 13th fastest respectively.

Today’s first race is the Mad Butcher 100, a 100 kilometre enduro that features a compulsory pit-stop where teams have to remove and place two tyres on the car using only two people and minimal gear. With double championship points offered for the race, the stakes are considerably higher for the team by introducing the pit-stop concept.

Scheduled to start at 5pm, the 36 lap race is followed by two shorter sprint races on the Sunday (8 November).

Porsche champions return for three-peat

Five-car Auckland based Porsche team Triple X Motorsport are eying a third successive championship title with the start of the 2009/10 seven round Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge at Pukekohe this weekend (7-8 November).

Having secured back-to-back Porsche titles after two seasons of operation, the team will again run defending champion Craig Baird, along with resident drivers Daniel Gaunt, Mike Morton, Shane McKillen and Courtney Letica.

Baird’s five consecutive crowns in the one-make race car series has pushed the 39-year-old to 21 outright New Zealand titles – a benchmark he wants to extend.

“That’s always the plan. I still believe at the end of the day you have to have everything working for you, and that includes the people around you doing the preparation, we’ve certainly proven that in the past,” said Baird, a Queensland based Kiwi.

With a field of 14 teams entered for the opening round, Baird says it’s good to see old and new faces in the line-up, including arch rival Matt Halliday and new recruit Jonny Reid.

“I think one of the most refreshing things is having Jonny Reid in there. People rate him as one of the top New Zealand young-guns. I’ve raced Halliday in four different Porsche championships and I’ve won all of them, so he’s a known quantity. The biggest threat to me I think is Jonny Reid, as I haven’t raced against him. He did well on the international stage in the A1 Grand Prix car, so it will be interesting to see how someone like that goes in identical equipment to the rest of the field. And if you look at the records, Jonny Reid was quicker than Halliday in the A1 car,” he added.

A change to the race weekend programme features the ‘Mad Butcher 100’ kilometre race on the Saturday, including a compulsory pit-stop. That is followed by a 12-lap race on Sunday morning and the top-six reverse grid 16-lap race in the afternoon. Baird doesn’t expect that will alter the tactics of winning a championship title: “It doesn’t matter what the race format is like, you’ll generally always find the cream will rise to the top and make the best of any situation, although the team now plays a bigger role in the Saturday race than normal with the pitstop,” he said.

While Baird has been racing internationally in a variety of categories, team-mate and from third position in last season’s championship, Daniel Gaunt is one round away from completing the Fujitsu V8 Supercar series. Gaunt’s best result has been a second overall at the recent Bathurst weekend.

Auckland business moguls Shane McKillen and Mike Morton have spent time pre-season completing test sessions while last year’s rookie Courtney Letica has been evaluating data to improve on his 11^th championship placing.

As they all start the weekend with clean time-sheets, qualifying on Saturday morning is the first step toward a 75-point haul on offer for a race win – with diminishing value for lesser placings.

In a season that starts at the 2.841 kilometre long, South Auckland Pukekohe Park Raceway, the seven championship rounds include three in the South Island (Ruapuna, Teretonga, Timaru), along with Manfeild and Taupo before a season finale at the Hamilton V8 Supercar weekend in mid-April.

# # #

Triple X Motorsport driver line-up:

Car number 1: Craig Baird (Mad Butcher/ ZM Porsche 997) – first overall 2008/2009 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
Car number 2: Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997)
Car number 3: Daniel Gaunt (Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997) – third overall 2008/2009 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
Car number 5: Courtney Letica (Altherm Porsche 997)
Car number 8: Mike Morton (Indians Bar/Hampsta Porsche 997)

Weekend race programme for Porsche GT3 Cup cars – Pukekohe Park Raceway, Manukau Road, Pukekohe.

Friday 6 November

12:30 - Porsche GT3 Cup - test session 1
15:50 - Porsche GT3 Cup - test session 2

Saturday 7 November

12:30 - 20mins Porsche GT3 Cup – qualifying
17:00 - Porsche GT3 Cup - Race 1 - 36laps (2.841km circuit = 102.3km)

Sunday 8 November

11:35 - Porsche GT3 Cup - Race 2 - 12laps
15:05 - Porsche GT3 Cup- Race 3 - 16laps - Top 6 reverse

Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Championship 2009-2010
Round - Date - Venue
1 6-8 November 2009 Pukekohe
2 27-29 November 2009 Ruapuna
3 15-17 January 2010 Teretonga
4 22-24 January 2010 Timaru
5 12-14 February 2010 Manfeild
6 19-21 March 2010 Taupo
7 16-18 April 2010 Hamilton 400
Endurance Event TBC May/June 2010 Hampton Downs

Triple X Motorsport driver lands V8 Supercar drive

Triple X Motorsport team driver Daniel Gaunt has been named in the 2009 V8 Supercar enduro line-up with Stone Brothers Racing.

Having finished third overall in the 2008/09 New Zealand Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge and winning the 2009 New Zealand Grand Prix, Gaunt has been racing a SBR supported Falcon in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar series with McElrea Racing.

Growing from the close ties between each of the teams, 24-year-old Gaunt was given the nod to co-pilot the IRWIN Racing Falcon for the Phillip Island and Bathurst V8 Supercar enduro events. He will then return for the New Zealand summer race series in a Porsche 997 with Triple X Motorsport.

“It’s a great tie between each of the teams that has allowed Daniel to progress,” said Triple X Motorsport co-owner Mike Morton. “It shows from our team support at investing in young talent we can mutually benefit – we now have a stepping stone from a Triple X Porsche 997 into a V8 Supercar. When Daniel has completed this year’s Fujitsu V8 Supercar series and SBR enduro drive, he’ll be championship ready for the New Zealand Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge season with Triple X.”

Announced by SBR team principal Ross Stone, Gaunt will join fellow Kiwi’s John McIntyre and team regular Shane Van Gisbergen, with team-mate Alex Davison the only non-New Zealand driver in the team.

Gaunt will contest the Queensland round of the Fujitsu series (21-23 August) before the L&H 500 at Phillip Island (11-13 September) and the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 (8-11 October). His New Zealand season with the Triple X Motorsport team starts 6 November at Pukekohe.

Baird honoured at Motorsport awards

Championship winning Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird has been honoured at the annual MotorSport New Zealand awards last Saturday evening.

Baird scooped the prestigious Jim Clark Trophy, a Special Citation Award and his unprecedented fifth consecutive NZ Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge title.

Baird’s citation was ‘in recognition of being New Zealand motorsport’s most prolific and successful racing driver’ – a position backed up with statistics that rank him as one of the most victorious drivers in the world.

Having previously won the Jim Clark Trophy in 1992, its decoration is for a sportsman like attitude to the sport and fellow competitors, and a natural ability in putting up the most meritorious racing performance during the season. In memory of successive 1960’s Tasman Champion Jim Clark; Baird is in close company with other multiple recipients including Scott Dixon, Ken Smith and Greg Murphy.

The 38-year-old Gold Coast based Kiwi started out as a four-year-old in karts; with a career totalling 21 New Zealand championship titles, three New Zealand Grand Prix wins and two Australian titles – in all manner of cars.

Triple X Motorsport shareholder; Mike Morton said Baird’s award was a special moment for the team, who in two short years have two New Zealand titles with him.

“We’re very proud of Craig’s achievement. The citation echoes our team ethos and that’s been recognised this year by MotorSport New Zealand with this prestigious award for his achievements,” said Morton.

“Leading our team to a one-two-three championship finish in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge didn’t come easy and illustrates his fortitude. We’re pleased to share this time with him.”

This caps off another successful season for Baird and his Auckland based Triple X Motorsport team. Baird won the 2008-2009 New Zealand Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge title for the fifth time, plus the series Hard Charger of the year for passing the most cars in all races.

Absent from the awards evening – Baird was instead competing in the annual 24 hours of Nurburgring race, through Germany’s Eifel region.

Again committed to racing for Triple X Motorsport in the Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup series in the coming season, Baird is also intending a second season in the NZ V8 category, while endeavouring to enter the speedway scene in a midget.

Gaunt tops Porsche team result

Today’s final Porsche GT3 Cup race rewarded Triple X Motorsport driver Daniel Gaunt (Placemakers – Hampsta Porsche 997) with a second placed finish in a 12-lap race after a first turn incident that eliminated the Barrons RV Taupo – ZM Porsche of Craig Baird.

Completing the street-race trophy weekend at the Hamilton 400 V8 Supercar event, it was Gaunt’s best result for the final race of the summer season – topping the weekend standings for the five-car Porsche team.

Starting from third position in the top-six reverse grid race, Gaunt held his inside line advantage while team-mates Baird and John McIntyre in the VnC Cocktails Porsche collided at the first turn.

“I had my nose clear – had clear track – aimed for it and took it,” said Gaunt of his position climb at the start of the race. “Obviously there was a bit of carnage going on behind out of the first corner. So to get second we were happy with – I just didn’t have the initial pace to catch Jody (Vincent) let alone to defend, so I had to let him get away from me a bit.”

With a fourth, third and finally a second, Gaunt reckons he could have gone one better: “If there was another race – I would have probably gotten that first.”

For Baird, it was a bitter sweet after two wins from the first two races, recording his first DNF (Did Not Finish) for the season.

“I got a blinder start to get between John McIntyre and Daniel Gaunt and then tried to make up another spot – went wide – no problem – then heading off where the kink is in the wall I got squeezed where it is a bit rounded and it broke something in the front.”

Reticent about the incident, Baird said he was going for position: “It doesn’t worry me – it’s not a place I would have positioned myself if it were a championship round anyway. I was trying to make up four spots by turn one and put myself in a vulnerable position and paid the price.”
“I had so much pace on everyone in that one – as I saved my new tyres for that race – that was the bit that fucked me off the most.”

Clearing past the first-turn melee, rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm Porsche 997) tagged in behind McIntyre, before the former two-time V8s champion had to pit for a left rear tyre after being squeezed in to Baird.

Running fifth, Letica was later overtaken for position to finish sixth at the final chequered flag, with McIntyre seventh.

Mike Morton in the #2 green Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group - Porsche 997 car, had a radiator failure that sidelined his final race of the weekend.

“I had a hit at the start, then after a few laps got to the Holden corner – went to turn and ended up going straight. I think it was fluid from the radiator after the start incident – got on to the tyre and fuck. 55 sausages for $20,” added the Mad Butcher CEO.

With Gaunt taking second overall for the street-race trophy weekend, the team scooped the 2008/09 Porsche GT3 Cup Championship trophies in a morning prizegiving ceremony held at the track. Along with Craig Baird’s ‘hard charger’ trophy and Courtney Letica’s ‘rookie’ title, the team also were awarded five premium Tissot watches, three for the championship one-two-three placings plus two for a secondary series run by the timekeeping brand.

The Triple X Motorsport team now focus on endurance and test sessions ahead of a new championship season – to defend their current two top titles in only two seasons of competition.

Results: Race three - 12 laps

Pos Car Driver Vehicle Fastest...Lap

1 10 Jody Vincent (AKL) Porsche 997 1:27.9712

2 47 Daniel Gaunt (AKL) Porsche 997 1:27.8676

3 98 Mark Russ (AKL) Porsche 997 1:28.0530

4 51 Jono Lester (AKL) Porsche 997 1:28.0579

5 96 Ant Pedersen (ROT) Porsche 997 1:27.7228*

6 13 Courtney Letica (AKL) Porsche 997 1:27.8889

7 40 John McIntyre (AKL) Porsche 997 1:27.8844

8 35 Rob Steele (AKL) Porsche 1:30.9352

DNF 2 Mike Morton (AKL) Porsche 997 1:34.5718

DNF 11 Darryn Henderson (WGT) Porsche 997 2:28.5227

DNF 1 Craig Baird (AUS) Porsche 997

Baird takes double Porsche victory

Today’s first two Porsche races in the Hamilton 400 V8 Supercar weekend have been dominated by Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird in the Barrons RV Taupo-ZM Porsche 997.

Unchallenged at the front of the field, the 38-year-old Queensland based Kiwi has led home the five-car team after two-12-lap races around the 3.4km street course in the Frankton business district.

“There wasn’t a lot of pressure – I just cruised really,” said Baird.

Today’s double victory and fastest lap time of 1min26.6812sec will put Baird back to sixth position for the final race on Sunday – the top-six reverse grid start.

“I was playing with driving lines a lot – as I’m not happy with the exit speeds of the car. So I was seeing how wide and narrow I could brake and stop – as it’s hard to pass round here and it gave me the chance to try things before tomorrow’s race.”

Following a fourth in this morning’s race, Daniel Gaunt in the Placemakers-Hampsta car finished third under perfect skies after a slow-start to his weekend.

“We moved forward and it was catch-up from qualifying where I missed out my best time when the session was red-flagged,” said Gaunt. “So we suffered for the first part of the weekend - hopefully we can get another podium result tomorrow.”

Gaunt will start tomorrow’s final 12-lap race from the second row.

Fourth this afternoon after finishing sixth in his first Porsche race for the Triple X Motorsport team, two-time V8s champion John McIntyre (VnC Cocktails Porsche 997) found switching between his V8 and the Porsche physically demanding.

Dicing with team-mate Courtney Letica (Altherm Porsche 997), the pair had a tit-for-tat battle in the opening lap – joined by Jody Vincent for a three-wide drag down the front chute. McIntyre took the eventual advantage, with Letica later tagging the wall – damaging the rear bumper on his car.

Mad Butcher CEO Mike Morton had a fraught day after consistent lap times in qualifying on Friday. A late race spin in the morning dropped him down the order before running out of clutch in the opening lap of this afternoon’s race.Tomorrow’s final race in the trophy weekend at the V8 Supercar event starts from 11:45am with the weekend results celebrated on the event podium at 2pm.

Hamilton 400 V8 Supercar weekend - Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge trophy racing:
Race one – 12 laps

Pos Car Driver Vehicle Total time
1 1 Craig Baird (AUS) – Triple X Porsche 997 18:53.2951
2 51 Jono Lester (AKL) Porsche 997 18:53.8742
3 96 Anthony Pedersen (ROT) Porsche 997 18:56.8115
4 47 Daniel Gaunt (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 18:57.9212
5 10 Jody Vincent (AKL) Porsche 997 18:58.1043
6 40 John McIntyre (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 19:00.0714
7 13 Courtney Letica (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 19:00.5006
8 35 Rob Steele (AKL) Porsche 19:16.6659
9 2 Mike Morton (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 19:32.3348
DNF 98 Mark Russ (AKL) Porsche 997 6:10.4632
DNF 30 Ben Storey (AKL) Porsche 996 2:19.8641

Race two – 12 laps
Pos Car Driver Vehicle Total time

1 1 Craig Baird (AUS) – Triple X Porsche 997 17:29.7504
2 51 Jono Lester (AKL) Porsche 997 17:34.1845
3 47 Daniel Gaunt (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 17:38.8281
4 40 John McIntyre (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 17:42.9656
5 98 Mark Russ (AKL) Porsche 997 17:49.4239
6 35 Rob Steele (AKL) Porsche 18:32.8200
7 10 Jody Vincent (AKL) Porsche 997 18:56.9552
8 13 Courtney Letica (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 18:59.2209
DNF 2 Mike Morton (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 1:38.8965
DNF 96 Anthony Pedersen (ROT) Porsche 997

Trophy weekend points – top-six (after two of three races)
1, Craig Baird – Triple X 150
2, Jono Lester - 134
3, Daniel Gaunt – Triple X 114
4, John McIntyre – Triple X 99
5, Jody Vincent – 88
6= Courtney Letica – Triple X 84
6= Rob Steele – 84

Baird wins first Porsche race

Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird in the Barrons RV Taupo ZM car has won the opening Porsche GT3 Cup race around the Hamilton 400 street circuit this morning.

Starting from pole, Baird comfortably held out the field for the 12-lap race which was punctuated mid-way by a brief safety-car period.

From the inside of the second row, John McIntyre made his first start in the VnC Cocktails car, swallowed up as he got the Porsche 997 off the line. With Daniel Gaunt in the Placemakers-Hampsta car tucked in behind, the pair swapped positions as the chase began.

Rookie Courtney Letica in the Altherm car benefited from a strong start to mix with his team-mates for a race battle.

Gaunt took the advantage to finish fourth, with McIntyre sixth and Letica seventh. Mad Butcher’s Mike Morton in the Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group finished ninth with three cars non-finishers.

The second race of the weekend for the five-car team is from 1:50pm.

Baird fastest in street race qualifying

Triple X Motorsport racer Craig Baird has topped the Porsche field in qualifying for the first of three races at the Hamilton V8 Supercar weekend.

Taking to the 3.4 kilometre street course around Hamilton’s Frankton business district, Baird in the Barrons RV Taupo – ZM car dominated the 20 minute session with team debutant John McIntyre in the VnC Cocktails car 0.4466 seconds behind.

“It’s very bumpy – it’s surprising,” said Queensland based Baird after setting his fastest lap. “I had one big moment at the chicane where I bent something, but I was lucky enough to complete the lap to set fastest time.”

“Half the track that was bumpy last year is fixed 100% and then other parts where there has been movement in the ground – the car just bounces all over the place. We’re just glad to be consistently faster so the race tomorrow should be a lot easier – we’ll just be rattling our fillings out during it.”

Immediately after setting his fastest lap time, McIntyre clipped a tyre bundle located on the entry to the back-straight chicane which launched the car after tearing the front right wheel loose from its mounts. Causing the session to be red-flagged (halted). McIntyre’s time for second position was then deleted – leaving him with third fastest for the session.

“Obviously I’m really happy with the pace but disappointed when you damage any car,” said McIntyre after returning the car for mechanics to effect repairs.

“I just got the chicane wrong and it just takes the wheel out of your hand and shovels the car where it wants to – so we’re very lucky it didn’t fire us in to the wall. Now we’ve been shuffled back to third, which I think it’s better to start behind Craig (Baird) and be on the inside at the first turn.”

“But obviously I’m learning, I’ve done the qualifying; now I’ve got to learn how to race the cars.”
With two 12-lap races on Saturday, Baird and McIntyre will be line-astern, with Daniel Gaunt (Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997) starting from fifth, Courtney Letica (Altherm – Porsche 997) in seventh and Mad Butcher CEO Mike Morton (Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group - Porsche 997) 11th.

A final 12-lap on the Sunday will be followed by a podium presentation from 2pm in the afternoon.

Qualifying: Hamilton 400 V8 Supercar weekend - Porsche GT3 Cup
Pos Car Driver Vehicle Time

1 1 Craig Baird (AUS) –Triple X Motorsport Porsche 997 1:26.7143
2 51 Jono Lester (AKL) Porsche 997 +0.651
3 40 John McIntyre (AKL) - Triple X Motorsport Porsche 997 +0.797
4 96 Anthony Pedersen (ROT) Porsche 997 +0.8057
5 47 Daniel Gaunt (AKL) - Triple X Motorsport Porsche 997 +0.8088
6 10 Jody Vincent (AKL) Porsche 997 +1.0280
7 13 Courtney Letica (AKL) - Triple X Motorsport Porsche 997 +1.3505
8 98 Mark Russ (AKL) Porsche 997 +1.8419
9 11 Darryn Henderson (WGT) Porsche 997 +2.3500
10 35 Rob Steele (AKL) Porsche 996 +3.5344
11 2 Mike Morton (AKL) - Triple X Motorsport Porsche 997 +5.7138

McIntyre to race Porsche at Hamilton

Two-time V8s champion John McIntyre will now race a Triple X Motorsport Porsche at the Hamilton V8 Supercar street race weekend alongside his regular JMR Ford (17-19 April).

A late opportunity to contest the three-race non-championship event fell McIntyre’s way when the seat in team principal Shane McKillen’s VnC Cocktails car became vacant.

Familiar with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car type 997, McIntyre is excited to have the opportunity to drive the #40 VnC Cocktails entry.

“Any day you get to drive in another race car is a very good day,” said the 32-year old professional driver from Nelson. “I’m looking at taking the opportunity with both hands and trying to put in a good performance for the team and sponsors, and enjoying the fact that you’re racing one of the best cars you can drive at Hamilton really.”

Having tested in one of the new 997 cars last September at Taupo, McIntyre says the shakedown time will be valuable at ensuring he is concentrating on the racing instead of learning to drive the car.

With Queensland based Triple X Motorsport team driver Craig Baird also dual driving in the NZ V8s category as well as the Porsche class, McIntyre says the stark difference between the cars makes them easier to drive.

“If my fastest lap is on the third race on the Sunday then I would have done my job from the team’s point-of-view – so we’ll just try sneak up on it.”

The five-car, Auckland based team also includes Mike Morton (#2 Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group Porsche 997), Daniel Gaunt (#47 Placemakers – Hampsta Porsche 997) and Courtney Letica (#13 Altherm Porsche 997)

McKillen’s absence is due to business commitments rendering him unable to attend the Hamilton event.

McIntyre’s first laps of the 3.4 kilometre street course through the Frankton business district will be from 9:55am on Friday morning before qualifying in the afternoon. Saturday morning starts the weekend racing with the first of three 12-lap races; one in the morning followed by a second in the afternoon. The weekend concludes with a mid-day race Sunday afternoon before the podium presentation ceremony from 2pm.

Porsche champions take on street battle

Multiple Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup champions, Triple X Motorsport will field five type 997 cars in this weekend’s three race battle around the Hamilton streets as part of the V8 Supercar weekend (17-19 April).

One month on from the victorious one-two-three in the 2008/09 championship season, the team have the defence of the inaugural street race trophy that Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997) secured last year after dominating the field with three race wins.

Stepping in to the car vacated by the V8 Supercar contracted David Reynolds – Auckland’s Daniel Gaunt will drive the Placemakers-Hampsta Porsche, making room for Mad Butcher CEO Mike Morton to drive the Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group car.

“Every one of our cars are the same,” Gaunt explains of the seat shuffle. “Porsche obviously do a great job of getting every car very similar – so it’ll be the same adjustments we make to get the setup suited to me,” he annoted to the difference between his podium placing steed and this weekend’s chaser.

With street-course experience this year in Australia, the 24-year old says the Hamilton event is one he is looking forward to: “It’s pretty straight-forward and creates good racing. It has good apexed curves so you can see through most of the corners, plus they’ve made improvements this year that should be for the better.”

Clean-sweeping the championship field again this season, Baird says the Hamilton event suits his style of competition: “Street circuits are something I really enjoy and thrive on really. I just love the concrete and non-forgiving nature; whether it’s a curb with grass run-off or concrete wall - I will charge in just as hard.”

Using 3.4km of streets in Hamilton’s Frankton business district, the concrete block lined course provides an up-close feel for both spectators and Baird, who will tackle the course for the second time.

“I enjoyed the track – the platform they started with in their first year was exceptional so I can only imagine it’s even better with the changes they are making – so I’m looking forward to getting back to it,” said the newly crowned Porsche champion who has now amassed 21 New Zealand titles.

Included to the title-winning team line-up, season rookie Courtney Letica will make his first start at a street circuit event in the Altherm Porsche 997 with team principal Shane McKillen in the VnC Cocktails car.

Beginning with brief testing and weekend qualifying on the Friday, Saturday morning starts the weekend racing with the first of three 12-lap races; one in the morning followed by a second in the afternoon. The weekend concludes with a mid-day race Sunday afternoon before the podium presentation ceremony from 2pm.

Baird takes Porsche title

- Baird wins all three Porsche races
- Triple X Motorsport seal successive Porsche victory

Queensland based Kiwi Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997) has taken the 2008/09 Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup following this weekend’s final round of racing at Pukekohe Park – leading the Triple X Motorsport team to one-two-three in the championship.

The weekend’s three-race programme concluded with Baird taking his second race win of the weekend in this morning’s 12-lap race to secure his championship placing.

That was backed up by a win in the dying metres of the final race to clean-sweep the weekend for the 38-year-old professional driver.

“I think the championship one-two-three proves how good the team is. I haven’t had a mechanical failure all year – it’s just run like clockwork. So between the group of sponsors, management and all the boys that are in Triple X Motorsport we’ve got the ultimate team to win titles. It doesn’t matter what you do in the team, you get treated all the same – so that makes it a grouse environment to be in,” said Baird.

Baird’s championship win takes him to five Porsche titles and extends his overall New Zealand tally to 21.

Following Baird home in the title chase, Melbourne’s David Reynolds finished second in the morning race and was duelling with Baird in the final top-six reverse grid race before leaving the circuit and retiring. Without points, he had enough from the morning result to secure second overall in the series.

“Baird was my target to beat when I first arrived here,” said Reynolds of his season. “He’s obviously got the edge on most of the tracks here since he’s won most of the races. Also one of my targets over here was to qualify a lot stronger and I think I showed that. Plus the team of Triple X Motorsport has been fantastic to work with – it’s a good balance of professionalism and fun, and that’s what I like over here,” said the Australian.

Auckland’s Daniel Gaunt (Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997) was the third driver to secure his championship placing in the morning race, backed up with a third in the final to make it a clean championship podium sweep for the six-car Porsche team.

“The objective this season was to learn as much as I could. I came in to this team knowing that these guys, Reynolds and Bairdo, have got plenty of experience. So to be able to learn off them all year and be there to pick up third is the best I could imagine.”

“Triple X Motorsport has been remarkably good to me this year - it’s a great environment. They are serious on track and strive to be best while having fun and a laugh together.”

Starting from pole in this afternoon’s final race, season rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) finished in eighth after a clean finishing record for the weekend that was highlighted by a fourth in official race qualifying.

“It’s been a major learning curve, but towards the end we’ve picked up our pace and put a lot of things in to practise and got much better toward the end of the season. I’d like to think with the experience I can be a lot further up there next season,” said the 21-year old Auckland account manager.

Finishing tenth in the championship, one position ahead of Letica, team principal Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails – Porsche 997) said the season result was a better outcome than originally planned.

“It’s a fantastic result - more than we expected at the start of the year,” said the Auckland businessman. “So to finish first-second-third makes us proud as it’s a complete team effort, now we have to find a new goal. We’ve got a great model with this team, having professional drivers, younger drivers and gentleman drivers, we now have two consecutive championship titles to prove it.”

Melbourne’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997) finished fifth equal in the standings – unlucky not to reel in the lucrative fourth spot that would have extended the team’s championship dominance.

Placing seventh in both races today, Forbes said it typified his season being on the cusp of the top-six that often started behind the leading group in the weekend final race.

“The thing that keeps holding me back is the reverse grid race of the top-times. So I can finish quite well in the race, but if I finish seventh fastest time I get put back when those I’m racing against get to the front of the grid and it robs little points off you.”“Otherwise it’s been a good season – I love the racing – it’s all very close. I wouldn’t race anywhere else really – especially with the team I’m in to be perfectly honest. They work hard, play hard – they know how to blend it and it’s a perfect mix.”

The six-car Triple X Motorsport team will run at the Hamilton 400 V8 Supercar weekend as part of a trophy challenge around the street circuit in mid-April.

Results:

Porsche GT3 Race one – 12 laps (top-five) – Saturday 14th March

1. Craig Baird – Triple X 11min38.476s
2. David Reynolds – Triple X +0.657s
3. Jono Lester +2.725s
4. Daniel Gaunt – Triple X +7.790
5. Courtney Letica – Triple X +10.256

Porsche GT3 Race two – 12 laps (top-five) – Sunday 15th March
Pos No Driver Time

1 1 Craig Baird – Triple X 11min35.790s
2 2 David Reynolds – Triple X +0.332
3 47 Daniel Gaunt – Triple X +6.817
4 96 Anthony Pedersen +8.023
5 98 Mark Russ +17.162

Porsche GT3 Race three – 16 laps top-six reverse grid start (top-five) – Sunday 15th March
Pos No Driver Time

1 1 Craig Baird – Triple X 15min40.968
2 10 Jody Vincent +0.188s
3 47 Daniel Gaunt – Triple X +1.676s
4 96 Anthony Pedersen +7.185s5
51 Jono Lester +8.438s

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge points overall (provisional)

1 Craig Baird (Triple X Motorsport) 1295
2 David Reynolds (Triple X Motorsport) 1112
3 Daniel Gaunt (Triple X Motorsport) 935
4 Jono Lester 821
5= Rodney Forbes (Triple X Motorsport) 747
5= Jody Vincent 747
7 Anthony Pedersen 739
8 Darryn Henderson 690
9 Mark Russ 669
10 Shane McKillen 626
11 Courtney Letica 534

Baird pushes closer to Porsche title

This weekend’s final round in the 2008/09 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge has seen Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997) edge closer to his fourth title having pipped pole setter and team-mate David Reynolds (Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997) in today’s race at Pukekohe.
The first of three races in this weekend’s finale to the summer race season, Baird took the lead right from the start of the 12-lap race having set second fastest qualifying in clear and mild conditions at the Pukekohe Park Raceway.

“It’s a pretty important part of the race really,” described Baird of his trade-mark start-line performance.

“The car was great having changed my driving style a little when coming over the ‘hill’. I worked on that all week as it’s a place I have lost out at previously.”

Qualifying second fastest, Baird said it was strategic move that paid off: “I was happy with my qualifying – it didn’t really faze me being second because the race line is down the outside so you always get a better run down there – a bit more drive.”

Finishing 0.657 seconds ahead of Reynolds, Baird has a 100 point lead with two races to run in the championship.

Fourth, also after a stellar start, Daniel Gaunt (Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997) led rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) home after the Auckland 21-year old started from fourth.

Team principal Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails – Porsche 997) finished ninth after again avoiding an opening turn skirmish that caught Sydney’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997). The coming together forced Forbes to pit for a new tyre before returning to the race to finish in tenth.

Currently one-two-three in the championship Sunday’s two remaining races on the race calendar start with a 12-lap race in the morning before the top-six reverse grid finale from 3pm in the afternoon.

Results:

Hydraulink 200 Pukekohe (14th March 2009).

Porsche GT3 Race one – 12 laps (top-five)
1. Craig Baird – Triple X 11min38.476s
2. David Reynolds – Triple X +0.657s
3. Jono Lester +2.725s
4. Daniel Gaunt – Triple X +7.790
5. Courtney Letica – Triple X +10.256

2008/09 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge points (season total after race one at Pukekohe today).
1. Craig Baird – Triple X - 1145
2. David Reynolds – Triple X - 1045
3. Daniel Gaunt – Triple X - 815

Porsche Title Chase for Triple X

Currently leading the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Auckland’s six-car Triple X Motorsport team have three races between them and the season championship trophy being raced this weekend at Pukekohe (13-15 March).

Led by Queensland based Kiwi Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997), he holds a 92 point lead over team-mates David Reynolds (Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997) and Daniel Gaunt (Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997) as the trio race for outright podium honours in the sixth and final championship round for the season.

Following a season that started early November last year, the team have set a number of lap records and dominated the 14-car Porsche GT3 cup field that has traversed the country to return to the south Auckland race venue.

For this weekend’s finale, defending champion Craig Baird says it will be ‘business as usual’ as he seeks to wrap up his 21st New Zealand title and fifth time lifting the Porsche cup.

“I never even think about each individual title,” muses the 38-year old ex-pat Kiwi. “I probably break it down more in to individual races, moreso than championships because you have to piece the races together to get the championships. So its cart and horse stuff really. If you talk about championships before individual races you’ve probably got it round the wrong way.”

With 75 points allocated for each race, the current rankings could change abruptly should any number of factors intervene with a calculated plan - putting all thoughts of celebration on hold until Sunday afternoon.

Fifth in the standings, Sydney’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997) is in with a sling-shot of moving to fourth – with the benefit of consistency in his race season.

Directly behind team principal Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails Porsche 997) in the standings, rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) has the added impetus of improving on his first round results at the 2.841km Pukekohe Park Raceway venue. Against highly experienced racers, the 21-year old has been on a steep learning curve that has fixed his sights on first finishing.

Following two test sessions on the Friday around the clockwise circuit, the team get to treat sponsors and guests to hot-lap rides late in the afternoon. The Saturday morning qualifying heats up the championship competition, with an afternoon 12-lap race followed by a second 12-lap race on Sunday morning. Concluding the 18-race season is the 16-lap top-six reverse grid race from 3pm in the afternoon.

Triple X Porsche Victory

Queensland based Kiwi Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997) has won today’s two Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge races at Manfeild to clean-sweep the penultimate round of the 2008/09 series and extend his overall title lead.

Heading the six-car Auckland based Triple X Motorsport team, Baird’s weekend victory came after Saturday’s rain affected race win was followed up by this morning’s 12-lap lights-to-flag victory held in summer-set conditions.

In stark contrast, the team lined-up for the 16-lap top-six reverse grid afternoon race with rain beginning to fall at the Manawatu race venue. Led in the early stages by Melbourne’s David Reynolds (Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997) after a masterful start, Baird took the lead just before the race was declared early due to the wet conditions.

“To win all three here makes a big difference to me,” said 38-year old Baird. “The pressure was on – but David (Reynolds) did a good job – he arrived here late and on a green set of tyres to run that hard was a good effort,” he described of Reynolds second placing in each of the weekend’s races.

Baird extends his series lead to 92 points over team-mate Reynolds, with Gaunt third to maintain the Triple X championship strong-hold.

“It’s quite good – if I have a DNF (Did Not Finish) I don’t have to win every race to still be in with a chance for the championship final at Pukekohe.”

Sydney’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997) battled with his team-mates in the finale to finish in fourth, ahead of Daniel Gaunt (Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997) in fifth.

Series rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) finished sixth after a nil result in the morning race.

“It was a bit treacherous,” described Letica. “I learned the most I ever could in that session. Just learning how to control the car on the edge – just drive it a bit slower – look for the grip and finding the grip so it really taught me a lot.”

“It’s always nice to get a good result – you get the congratulations to know you’ve done it right.”

Team principal Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails Porsche 997) rounded out the top-ten of the 13 finishers.

With two weeks to the finale at Pukekohe (13-15 March 2009), Triple X Motorsport have three races remaining in the championship season – with Baird having secured the championship title four times previously.