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.