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.
