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.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
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.
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.
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