Auckland’s Triple X Motorsport has the simple goal of a fourth New Zealand Porsche Cup Challenge title in as many years, as the 2010/2011 summer six-round season kicks off at Pukekohe this weekend (5-7 November 2010).
From the team’s inception in 2007 they have successively won the top title with Gold Coast based Kiwi Craig Baird MNZM, who returns for yet another season in the Mad Butcher ZM Porsche GT3 997.
“For sure, we’ve got one goal – the title,” said Baird, who wrapped up his 25th national championship crown at the end of last season.
“I know I’ve got good personnel, good sponsors, good everything from the top to bottom. I have no doubt every time I jump in that car the Triple X guys have given me 110%. I’ve got to keep continuing doing the same and give equal in return, and I guess that speaks for our 100% championship winning record.”
Along with defending champion Baird, Melbourne based Kiwi Daniel Gaunt starts his third season with the six-car team. Finishing third overall in last year’s championship, Gaunt says the goal is to push Baird and at worst finish behind him.
“Craig is the master so to be in the same team as him helps level my chances of competing more equally. And to be with Triple X Motorsport, I know we’re going to have the best chance of beating competition, working hard and playing harder,” said Gaunt.
Team principal Shane McKillen will again contest the series in the VnC Cocktails Porsche 997 with 22-year-old Scott Harrison from Whangarei switching from a Suzuki Swift to drive the Mad Butcher Porsche 997. Mad Butcher CEO Michael Morton will drive the Outlaws Bar Porsche 997 with Christchurch businessman and car dealer Paul Kelly in the number 99 Porsche 997.
Starting the season with a home weekend, the Auckland based team have a half-hour drive to the Pukekohe 2.8 kilometre race circuit. With two long straights and high-speed turns, Baird says it always provides a great atmosphere for spectators and makes drivers work that much harder if they want to be at the front.
“I’ve been reasonably strong there the past few years, but it’s not my favourite track and probably one where we’ve had our worst results at. There have been times I’ve come away struggling a little bit and sometimes it’s more luck as to how you hit the bump coming down the hill. Pukekohe isn’t the championship; we’re quick there; we’re one of only two drivers to be in the 56 second bracket and I want to try get back there,” said Baird.
The team get two test sessions on the Friday before hospitality guests get the chance to sit alongside for a hot-lap late in the day. Saturday starts with qualifying to decide the race one start order. With a 36-lap race starting at 5:10pm, the cars have to complete a compulsory pit-stop with the race winner collecting 75 points. Sunday morning features a 12-lap race with a top-six reverse grid 16-lap race starting at 3:15pm to conclude the opening round.
Later in the month the team relocate to Christchurch for the series second round, before returning in preparation for a two-in-two weekend jaunt in the southern South Island mid-late January 2011. The series returns to the North Island with a mid-February round at Manfeild near Palmerston North, concluding mid-March at Taupo for the championship decider.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Baird checks out of Porsche Asia series
Heading the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) standings before this weekend’s double points race at the Shanghai International Circuit in China, New Zealand race driver Craig Baird had a nightmare run on wet tyres in what will be his final round of the series.
Calendared to be the final round of the 2010 championship, Baird struggled with grip from recycled tyres in the wet qualifying conditions. He trailed pace-setter and defending champion Christian Menzel (Germany) by 1.924 seconds. Tracking a shortened circuit of 4.603 kilometres, Baird and his Auckland based Triple X Motorsport crew had to settle for a starting position of fourth for the Saturday afternoon 11-lap race.
Again in wet weather, Baird fought conditions in the VnC Cocktails Porsche GT3 RS 997, ultimately dropping a position to finish fifth.
“We were out for a pasting,” said a dejected Baird. “And we got hosed.”
“It’s hard for all of us here, having been going so well and then be so far away.”
While stopping short of explaining the tyre and grip situation, the team managed different tyres for the Sunday finale. In drier conditions Baird snared two places early to finish third for the race. The net result drops the 40-year-old ex-pat Kiwi to second in the standings, from a four point lead to a nine point deficit.
Attempting to resolve the recent extension of the calendar season by organisers to move the final weekend to early November, Baird and his Triple X Motorsport team will instead concentrate on his New Zealand championships.
“We’ve done pretty well for a first season; it’s just a shame the Porsche spirit was lost and the calendar for the final weekend was suddenly changed without regard for other teams’, including our own.”
“Second was our best in the end – I just hope that doesn’t get taken away because we have to choose defending multiple championship titles in New Zealand the same weekend they decided to move the Asian final to.”
Calendared to be the final round of the 2010 championship, Baird struggled with grip from recycled tyres in the wet qualifying conditions. He trailed pace-setter and defending champion Christian Menzel (Germany) by 1.924 seconds. Tracking a shortened circuit of 4.603 kilometres, Baird and his Auckland based Triple X Motorsport crew had to settle for a starting position of fourth for the Saturday afternoon 11-lap race.
Again in wet weather, Baird fought conditions in the VnC Cocktails Porsche GT3 RS 997, ultimately dropping a position to finish fifth.
“We were out for a pasting,” said a dejected Baird. “And we got hosed.”
“It’s hard for all of us here, having been going so well and then be so far away.”
While stopping short of explaining the tyre and grip situation, the team managed different tyres for the Sunday finale. In drier conditions Baird snared two places early to finish third for the race. The net result drops the 40-year-old ex-pat Kiwi to second in the standings, from a four point lead to a nine point deficit.
Attempting to resolve the recent extension of the calendar season by organisers to move the final weekend to early November, Baird and his Triple X Motorsport team will instead concentrate on his New Zealand championships.
“We’ve done pretty well for a first season; it’s just a shame the Porsche spirit was lost and the calendar for the final weekend was suddenly changed without regard for other teams’, including our own.”
“Second was our best in the end – I just hope that doesn’t get taken away because we have to choose defending multiple championship titles in New Zealand the same weekend they decided to move the Asian final to.”
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Porsche Asia interfere with FIA calendar – and deny Baird title shot
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) management has come under fire for altering dates sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de L’Automobile (FIA) by the series leader Craig Baird and his New Zealand based Triple X Motorsport team.
Their rookie year in the illustrious manufacturer series has seen them fight off intense competition to hold a slender lead after what was calendared to be the penultimate event for the 2010 season. That position is now threatened by a late change to the series by sporting management that would scuttle the 40-year-old Kiwi’s chance of the title.
“In reality I have Hobson’s choice”, a disgruntled Baird revealed to the press today. “When we entered the series the dates were all set out and subsequently confirmed by the FIA. Nothing conflicted with what we were doing in New Zealand for 2010/2011. Now out of the blue and almost at the end of the series the organisers have gone outside the governing body’s approved calendar to slot in a new round.”
Baird has two championship titles to defend in New Zealand, with the 2010/2011 season starting the same weekend as the proposed Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race in China (5-7 November).
“Our team contracted to both series on the basis of there not being any date clashes,” he added.
Team Principal Shane McKillen of Triple X Motorsport says there appears to be little regard for rules in a series that has provided the team with fantastic competition in their inaugural international season.
“Quite simply they have opted to extend the season without regard to the International Sporting Code which governs the running of the series,” he said from his New Zealand base.
“Despite the team’s legal advisers taking this to the organisers, bigger interests seem to be involved in their decision.”
“Ultimately it is the Porsche brand that will be tarnished by their lack of authority to abide by a set calendar – which will effectively deny Baird a fair chance of competing for the title. We entered in good faith and for the chance to win – without breaking or infringing our own contracts.”
Having completed eight races out of the original 10 scheduled for 2010, Baird leads defending champion Christian Menzel (Germany) by a slender four points.
“To date this series has been fantastic in its competitive nature and has run on and been a supporter to Formula One events. However what international team or driver would ever contemplate running in this series in the future if the organisers can add rounds ad hoc to suit themselves and the outcome?”
“Hopefully a successful resolution will be obtained before the team is committed to sending its team to Shanghai for what should be the final round on the 22/23 October,” McKillen said.
Currently the team are in last minute discussions with the local ASN (National Sporting Authority) and the FIA to see whether they will intervene before the event is run as a championship round.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Bamber earns €200,000 in two weekends
Young New Zealand race driver Earl Bamber (20, Wanganui) has struck major prize money twice in as many weekends, driving the Chinese rounds of the illustrious Superleague Formula (SF) global racing series.
Winner of the 2010 New Zealand Grand Prix with Auckland’s Triple X Motorsport (VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40), Bamber has now secured double victory piloting a V12 powered 750 horsepower wings-and-slicks car. Treacherous conditions around the street-circuit in Beijing’s Shunyi district over the weekend saw Bamber excel to win his second cheque for €100,000 in as many weekends.
Originally drafted by the 12-round series as a television commentator, the 20-year-old was offered a last minute opportunity to drive for the FC Porto team when their original driver was unable to obtain a visa to enter the country,
Following a thrilling battle in the six-car, five-lap, dash-for-cash weekend-ending race at Ordos International Circuit that netted him his first €100,000, Bamber was offered to then drive for the PSV Eindhoven for the Beijing weekend.
Bamber’s switch netted the same overall winning result, where he again out-classed the regular European based competition on a circuit he’d never seen before and in diabolical conditions.
“It was a tighter version of the Hamilton street circuit,” described Bamber of the track. “Except we were doing 250km/h through the chicane.”
Qualifying for the two Sunday races went against Bamber, when car handling issues and a strategic plan failed: “I had a plan of heading out late in the session, but was struggling with the brakes.”
Just as Bamber was about to set out, the session was ended when one of the cars crashed, leaving him 18th on the time sheets and having to start from the back of the grid for the opening race on Sunday.
Finishing an incredible sixth, he started from ninth in the afternoon race, working through to second before the race was stopped to clear the track where the race leader went off.
Expecting to start from pole at the re-start, Bamber had to settle for second when the previous leader was reinstated. Following him for the remaining five minutes, Bamber didn’t quite get past in the run to the chequered flag.
With the Super Final five-lap dash-for-cash cancelled due to deteriorating track and weather conditions, Bamber’s points tally left him atop the prize winners podium.
“I can’t believe it. We started last on the grid for race one so I never thought we’d be leaving with a cheque for €100,000! It was so dark when they restarted the race that I couldn’t even see the buttons on my steering wheel! I just followed Álvaro (Parente) and watched his rear light to see what line he was taking. Maybe China is lucky for me. I certainly can’t complain about €200,000 in two weekends!”
Having only contested two of the 12 rounds, Bamber is placed seventh on the winners table and has pledged his earnings to the respective race teams. The winning trophies are to be added to the Triple X Motorsport collection where Bamber has his New Zealand Grand Prix trophy stored.
SF Round 11 China- Race 1 results
Location: Beijing
Date: 10th October 2010
Race 1 - SF Round 11 China – Classification – top ten.
Pos Car # Club Driver Time/Gap
1, 19, Tottenham Hotspur, Craig Dolby, 40:05.209
2, 33, Girondins de Bordeaux, Franck Perera, 3.047
3, 1, Liverpool, Frédéric Vervisch, 4.891
4, 69, Olympique Lyonnais, Tristan Gommendy, 11.747
5, 2, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Adrián Vallés, 13.932
6, 5, PSV Eindhoven, Earl Bamber, 16.099
7, 3, AC Milan, Yelmer Buurman, 16.714
8, 22, AS Roma, Julien Jousse, 19.397
9, 9, Olympiacos, Ben Hanley, 46.750s
10, 88, Team China, Ma Qing Hua, 14 laps
SF Round 11 China- Race 2 results
Location: Beijing
Date: 10th October 2010
Race 2 - SF Round 11 China – Classification – top ten.
Pos Car # Club Driver Time/Gap
1, 16, FC Porto Álvaro Parente, 49:18.621
2, 5, PSV Eindhoven, Earl Bamber, 0.844
3, 3, AC Milan, Yelmer Buurman, 2.633
4, 18, Sevilla FC, Marcos Martínez, 2.696
5, 15, Atlético de Madrid, Paul Meijer, 9.353
6, 24, Beijing Guoan FC, John Martin, 31.651
7, 1, Liverpool Frédéric Vervisch, 1 lap
8, 19, Tottenham Hotspur, Craig Dolby, 1 lap
9, 2, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Adrián Vallés, 1 lap
10, 33, Girondins de Bordeaux, Franck Perera, 1 lap
Winner of the 2010 New Zealand Grand Prix with Auckland’s Triple X Motorsport (VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40), Bamber has now secured double victory piloting a V12 powered 750 horsepower wings-and-slicks car. Treacherous conditions around the street-circuit in Beijing’s Shunyi district over the weekend saw Bamber excel to win his second cheque for €100,000 in as many weekends.
Originally drafted by the 12-round series as a television commentator, the 20-year-old was offered a last minute opportunity to drive for the FC Porto team when their original driver was unable to obtain a visa to enter the country,
Following a thrilling battle in the six-car, five-lap, dash-for-cash weekend-ending race at Ordos International Circuit that netted him his first €100,000, Bamber was offered to then drive for the PSV Eindhoven for the Beijing weekend.
Bamber’s switch netted the same overall winning result, where he again out-classed the regular European based competition on a circuit he’d never seen before and in diabolical conditions.
“It was a tighter version of the Hamilton street circuit,” described Bamber of the track. “Except we were doing 250km/h through the chicane.”
Qualifying for the two Sunday races went against Bamber, when car handling issues and a strategic plan failed: “I had a plan of heading out late in the session, but was struggling with the brakes.”
Just as Bamber was about to set out, the session was ended when one of the cars crashed, leaving him 18th on the time sheets and having to start from the back of the grid for the opening race on Sunday.
Finishing an incredible sixth, he started from ninth in the afternoon race, working through to second before the race was stopped to clear the track where the race leader went off.
Expecting to start from pole at the re-start, Bamber had to settle for second when the previous leader was reinstated. Following him for the remaining five minutes, Bamber didn’t quite get past in the run to the chequered flag.
With the Super Final five-lap dash-for-cash cancelled due to deteriorating track and weather conditions, Bamber’s points tally left him atop the prize winners podium.
“I can’t believe it. We started last on the grid for race one so I never thought we’d be leaving with a cheque for €100,000! It was so dark when they restarted the race that I couldn’t even see the buttons on my steering wheel! I just followed Álvaro (Parente) and watched his rear light to see what line he was taking. Maybe China is lucky for me. I certainly can’t complain about €200,000 in two weekends!”
Having only contested two of the 12 rounds, Bamber is placed seventh on the winners table and has pledged his earnings to the respective race teams. The winning trophies are to be added to the Triple X Motorsport collection where Bamber has his New Zealand Grand Prix trophy stored.
SF Round 11 China- Race 1 results
Location: Beijing
Date: 10th October 2010
Race 1 - SF Round 11 China – Classification – top ten.
Pos Car # Club Driver Time/Gap
1, 19, Tottenham Hotspur, Craig Dolby, 40:05.209
2, 33, Girondins de Bordeaux, Franck Perera, 3.047
3, 1, Liverpool, Frédéric Vervisch, 4.891
4, 69, Olympique Lyonnais, Tristan Gommendy, 11.747
5, 2, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Adrián Vallés, 13.932
6, 5, PSV Eindhoven, Earl Bamber, 16.099
7, 3, AC Milan, Yelmer Buurman, 16.714
8, 22, AS Roma, Julien Jousse, 19.397
9, 9, Olympiacos, Ben Hanley, 46.750s
10, 88, Team China, Ma Qing Hua, 14 laps
SF Round 11 China- Race 2 results
Location: Beijing
Date: 10th October 2010
Race 2 - SF Round 11 China – Classification – top ten.
Pos Car # Club Driver Time/Gap
1, 16, FC Porto Álvaro Parente, 49:18.621
2, 5, PSV Eindhoven, Earl Bamber, 0.844
3, 3, AC Milan, Yelmer Buurman, 2.633
4, 18, Sevilla FC, Marcos Martínez, 2.696
5, 15, Atlético de Madrid, Paul Meijer, 9.353
6, 24, Beijing Guoan FC, John Martin, 31.651
7, 1, Liverpool Frédéric Vervisch, 1 lap
8, 19, Tottenham Hotspur, Craig Dolby, 1 lap
9, 2, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Adrián Vallés, 1 lap
10, 33, Girondins de Bordeaux, Franck Perera, 1 lap
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Baird scoops international Porsche series lead
Leading New Zealand race car driver Craig Baird is still in awe after taking the series lead in the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) at what was initially the penultimate round in Singapore two weeks ago.
Winning two from two races on the streets of Marina Bay as a support class to the Formula One race, Baird’s table topping position has the 40-year-old Gold Coast based Kiwi elated at the team’s performance in its first year offshore.
Driving the #32 VnC Cocktails Porsche 997, the car was decked out in SC Global livery in a one-round deal with the Singapore corporate that saw Baird take his first ever win in the Asian series.
“We’ve got a recipe that’s worked for many years and relies on key individuals like Triple X Motorsport’s Todd and Ian plus Shane from VnC Cocktails. We all know what each other is thinking – so things get done and it makes life easier at being championship leaders,” said Baird, who has a four-point lead in a field of 29 international drivers.
The team’s first season in the Asian championship, Baird says the learning curve that sees them at the front doesn’t truly illustrate how tough the series is.
“You’ve got to remember we’re against the likes of defending champion Christian Menzel (Germany), who’s racing Porsche’s every weekend somewhere in Europe. His engineer is involved in the Porsche Supercup series and together they have done a lot of testing with the car and tyre combination used in the Asia championship.”
“Menzel finished fourth in his first year – where we’ve been second most of the season and now taken the series lead - putting it in to perspective.”
“We have to work smarter at beating their working harder – particularly at learning the brand new car and race circuits I’ve never seen before. As team we’ve moved forward – and will keep doing what we’re doing; especially now we’ve really started to take it to them.”
With the Singapore event the only circuit on the series Baird has contested before, he says it made a big difference to his chances given the unknown state of the car following significant damage repairs since he last drove it.
“It was a massive advantage having raced at the Singapore street circuit before – but that’s what the rest of the field is used to, whereas we’re still learning our way.”
Attention now turns to the addition of another round to the 2010 calendar – pushing the final date out to clash with the start of New Zealand’s summer series. Initially with one event left to contest for the season, Baird says there is a real dilemma ahead: “We have to weigh up trying to secure the PCCA title or focus more on the un-broken title streak in New Zealand – which is complicated by our backers being New Zealand businesses.
In-between, Baird’s next event is the Asian Festival of Speed at the Guangdong International circuit in China, 22 – 24 October.
2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia championship points (after round 8 of 10) – top five
1, Craig Baird, NZL, 120
2, Christian Menzel, GER, 116
3, Marchy Lee, HKG, 106
4, Mok Weng Sun, SIN, 96
5, Rodolfo Avila, MAC, 79
PCCA round 7 results - top ten
1, Craig BAIRD (NZL), SC Global Racing (SIN), 29:12.272
2, Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG), LKM Racing (HKG), +0.347
3, Marchy LEE (HKG), Red Bull Racing (HKG), +14.758
4, Rodolfo AVILA (MAC), Team Jebsen (HKG), +29.288
5, MOK Weng Sun (SIN), Team PCS Racing (SIN), +46.602
6, Ringo CHONG (SIN), Team Kangshun (CHN), +46.983
7, Philip MA (HKG), Jacob & Co Racing (HKG), +1:31.427
8, Jean Marc MERLIN (FRA), Team J2M Racing (FRA), +1:38.769
9, Wayne SHEN (HKG), Modena Motorsports (HKG), +1.46.963
10, Jeffrey LEE (TPE), Team Pauian Archiland (TPE), +1:48.150
PCCA round 8 results - top ten
1, Craig BAIRD (NZL),SC Global Racing (SIN), 28:49.024
2, Marchy LEE (HKG),Red Bull Racing (HKG), +2.251
3, Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG),LKM Racing (HKG), +3.114
4, Christian MENZEL (GER), Team StarChase (CHN), +11.078
5, Rodolfo AVILA (MAC), Team Jebsen (HKG), +21.138
6, MOK Weng Sun (SIN), Team PCS Racing (SIN), +53.741
7, Ringo CHONG (SIN), Team Kangshun (CHN), +56.339
8, Jeffrey LEE (TPE), Team Pauian Archiland (TPE), +58.901
9, Francis TJIA (HKG), OpenRoad Racing (HKG), +60.456
10, Philip MA (HKG), Jacob & Co Racing (HKG), +61.854
Winning two from two races on the streets of Marina Bay as a support class to the Formula One race, Baird’s table topping position has the 40-year-old Gold Coast based Kiwi elated at the team’s performance in its first year offshore.
Driving the #32 VnC Cocktails Porsche 997, the car was decked out in SC Global livery in a one-round deal with the Singapore corporate that saw Baird take his first ever win in the Asian series.
“We’ve got a recipe that’s worked for many years and relies on key individuals like Triple X Motorsport’s Todd and Ian plus Shane from VnC Cocktails. We all know what each other is thinking – so things get done and it makes life easier at being championship leaders,” said Baird, who has a four-point lead in a field of 29 international drivers.
The team’s first season in the Asian championship, Baird says the learning curve that sees them at the front doesn’t truly illustrate how tough the series is.
“You’ve got to remember we’re against the likes of defending champion Christian Menzel (Germany), who’s racing Porsche’s every weekend somewhere in Europe. His engineer is involved in the Porsche Supercup series and together they have done a lot of testing with the car and tyre combination used in the Asia championship.”
“Menzel finished fourth in his first year – where we’ve been second most of the season and now taken the series lead - putting it in to perspective.”
“We have to work smarter at beating their working harder – particularly at learning the brand new car and race circuits I’ve never seen before. As team we’ve moved forward – and will keep doing what we’re doing; especially now we’ve really started to take it to them.”
With the Singapore event the only circuit on the series Baird has contested before, he says it made a big difference to his chances given the unknown state of the car following significant damage repairs since he last drove it.
“It was a massive advantage having raced at the Singapore street circuit before – but that’s what the rest of the field is used to, whereas we’re still learning our way.”
Attention now turns to the addition of another round to the 2010 calendar – pushing the final date out to clash with the start of New Zealand’s summer series. Initially with one event left to contest for the season, Baird says there is a real dilemma ahead: “We have to weigh up trying to secure the PCCA title or focus more on the un-broken title streak in New Zealand – which is complicated by our backers being New Zealand businesses.
In-between, Baird’s next event is the Asian Festival of Speed at the Guangdong International circuit in China, 22 – 24 October.
2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia championship points (after round 8 of 10) – top five
1, Craig Baird, NZL, 120
2, Christian Menzel, GER, 116
3, Marchy Lee, HKG, 106
4, Mok Weng Sun, SIN, 96
5, Rodolfo Avila, MAC, 79
PCCA round 7 results - top ten
1, Craig BAIRD (NZL), SC Global Racing (SIN), 29:12.272
2, Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG), LKM Racing (HKG), +0.347
3, Marchy LEE (HKG), Red Bull Racing (HKG), +14.758
4, Rodolfo AVILA (MAC), Team Jebsen (HKG), +29.288
5, MOK Weng Sun (SIN), Team PCS Racing (SIN), +46.602
6, Ringo CHONG (SIN), Team Kangshun (CHN), +46.983
7, Philip MA (HKG), Jacob & Co Racing (HKG), +1:31.427
8, Jean Marc MERLIN (FRA), Team J2M Racing (FRA), +1:38.769
9, Wayne SHEN (HKG), Modena Motorsports (HKG), +1.46.963
10, Jeffrey LEE (TPE), Team Pauian Archiland (TPE), +1:48.150
PCCA round 8 results - top ten
1, Craig BAIRD (NZL),SC Global Racing (SIN), 28:49.024
2, Marchy LEE (HKG),Red Bull Racing (HKG), +2.251
3, Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG),LKM Racing (HKG), +3.114
4, Christian MENZEL (GER), Team StarChase (CHN), +11.078
5, Rodolfo AVILA (MAC), Team Jebsen (HKG), +21.138
6, MOK Weng Sun (SIN), Team PCS Racing (SIN), +53.741
7, Ringo CHONG (SIN), Team Kangshun (CHN), +56.339
8, Jeffrey LEE (TPE), Team Pauian Archiland (TPE), +58.901
9, Francis TJIA (HKG), OpenRoad Racing (HKG), +60.456
10, Philip MA (HKG), Jacob & Co Racing (HKG), +61.854
Monday, September 27, 2010
Baird leads Asian Porsche series
New Zealand’s most successful race car driver, Craig Baird MNZM, has further extended his victory tally with two wins on the streets of Singapore in the weekend, leap-frogging to the head of the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) series standings.
Driving the SC Global backed Porsche 997 at the SC Global sponsored event, Baird’s results came after a concerted effort by Porsche repair agents and his Kiwi crew provided the 40-year-old with a perfectly handling car for the Formula One support race weekend. The penultimate event on the 2010 calendar, Baird’s two wins moved him from an 18 point deficit to a six point lead in his maiden chase for the Asian title.
“The car was mega – as soon as I got behind the wheel it was ready to go. It’s testament to how hard the Porsche and Triple X boys worked, going over it front-to-back with a fine tooth comb and getting a balanced handling car ready,” said Baird after the Singapore double-victory.
Starting second on the grid in the opening race behind defending champion and previous series leader Christian Menzel (Germany), Baird seized upon a tyre selection gamble. Opting for a dry tyre following a Singapore rainstorm, the hot and humid conditions allowed Baird to claim his first ever victory on the Asian calendar.
In the pre-cursor race to the SC Global Singapore Grand Prix, Baird’s second race of the weekend proved the benefit of starting from pole position in the Asian series: “The staggered off-set of the grid makes it so much easier when you’re at the front. From there it was a start-to-finish run for me. Darryl O’Young challenged for a while, he was passed by Marchy Lee, and then he challenged for a while. I could see he was driving quite aggressively and thought he’d burn his tyres even more trying to have a go getting past. So I stuck to the game plan and it worked.”
With doubts as to how the car would handle after chassis damage at the previous PCCA round that was followed by a transit accident, Baird paid tribute to the work put in to supply a car that handled the same prior to the damage.
“Obviously we’re learning more and more about the car all the time, and the Michelin tyre. We’ve finally figured out the combination that works and works for my driving style. And without the work from everyone involved, the team wouldn’t have been able to deliver me the car we could move forward with rather than re-learn.”
With four weeks until the final event on the 2010 calendar, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia returns to China next month for two race rounds at the Shanghai International Circuit on October 22-24.
2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia championship points (after round 8 of 10) – top four
1, Craig Baird, NZL, 121
2, Christian Menzel, GER, 115
3, Mok Weng Sun, SIN, 96
4, Marchy Lee, HKG, 61
PCCA round 7 results - top ten
1, Craig BAIRD (NZL), SC Global Racing (SIN), 29:12.272
2, Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG), LKM Racing (HKG), +0.347
3, Marchy LEE (HKG), Red Bull Racing (HKG), +14.758
4, Rodolfo AVILA (MAC), Team Jebsen (HKG), +29.288
5, MOK Weng Sun (SIN), Team PCS Racing (SIN), +46.602
6, Ringo CHONG (SIN), Team Kangshun (CHN), +46.983
7, Philip MA (HKG), Jacob & Co Racing (HKG), +1:31.427
8, Jean Marc MERLIN (FRA), Team J2M Racing (FRA), +1:38.769
9, Wayne SHEN (HKG), Modena Motorsports (HKG), +1.46.963
10, Jeffrey LEE (TPE), Team Pauian Archiland (TPE), +1:48.150
PCCA round 8 results - top ten
1, Craig BAIRD (NZL),SC Global Racing (SIN), 28:49.024
2, Marchy LEE (HKG),Red Bull Racing (HKG), +2.251
3, Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG),LKM Racing (HKG), +3.114
4, Christian MENZEL (GER), Team StarChase (CHN), +11.078
5, Rodolfo AVILA (MAC), Team Jebsen (HKG), +21.138
6, MOK Weng Sun (SIN), Team PCS Racing (SIN), +53.741
7, Ringo CHONG (SIN), Team Kangshun (CHN), +56.339
8, Jeffrey LEE (TPE), Team Pauian Archiland (TPE), +58.901
9, Francis TJIA (HKG), OpenRoad Racing (HKG), +60.456
10, Philip MA (HKG), Jacob & Co Racing (HKG), +61.854
Driving the SC Global backed Porsche 997 at the SC Global sponsored event, Baird’s results came after a concerted effort by Porsche repair agents and his Kiwi crew provided the 40-year-old with a perfectly handling car for the Formula One support race weekend. The penultimate event on the 2010 calendar, Baird’s two wins moved him from an 18 point deficit to a six point lead in his maiden chase for the Asian title.
“The car was mega – as soon as I got behind the wheel it was ready to go. It’s testament to how hard the Porsche and Triple X boys worked, going over it front-to-back with a fine tooth comb and getting a balanced handling car ready,” said Baird after the Singapore double-victory.
Starting second on the grid in the opening race behind defending champion and previous series leader Christian Menzel (Germany), Baird seized upon a tyre selection gamble. Opting for a dry tyre following a Singapore rainstorm, the hot and humid conditions allowed Baird to claim his first ever victory on the Asian calendar.
In the pre-cursor race to the SC Global Singapore Grand Prix, Baird’s second race of the weekend proved the benefit of starting from pole position in the Asian series: “The staggered off-set of the grid makes it so much easier when you’re at the front. From there it was a start-to-finish run for me. Darryl O’Young challenged for a while, he was passed by Marchy Lee, and then he challenged for a while. I could see he was driving quite aggressively and thought he’d burn his tyres even more trying to have a go getting past. So I stuck to the game plan and it worked.”
With doubts as to how the car would handle after chassis damage at the previous PCCA round that was followed by a transit accident, Baird paid tribute to the work put in to supply a car that handled the same prior to the damage.
“Obviously we’re learning more and more about the car all the time, and the Michelin tyre. We’ve finally figured out the combination that works and works for my driving style. And without the work from everyone involved, the team wouldn’t have been able to deliver me the car we could move forward with rather than re-learn.”
With four weeks until the final event on the 2010 calendar, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia returns to China next month for two race rounds at the Shanghai International Circuit on October 22-24.
2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia championship points (after round 8 of 10) – top four
1, Craig Baird, NZL, 121
2, Christian Menzel, GER, 115
3, Mok Weng Sun, SIN, 96
4, Marchy Lee, HKG, 61
PCCA round 7 results - top ten
1, Craig BAIRD (NZL), SC Global Racing (SIN), 29:12.272
2, Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG), LKM Racing (HKG), +0.347
3, Marchy LEE (HKG), Red Bull Racing (HKG), +14.758
4, Rodolfo AVILA (MAC), Team Jebsen (HKG), +29.288
5, MOK Weng Sun (SIN), Team PCS Racing (SIN), +46.602
6, Ringo CHONG (SIN), Team Kangshun (CHN), +46.983
7, Philip MA (HKG), Jacob & Co Racing (HKG), +1:31.427
8, Jean Marc MERLIN (FRA), Team J2M Racing (FRA), +1:38.769
9, Wayne SHEN (HKG), Modena Motorsports (HKG), +1.46.963
10, Jeffrey LEE (TPE), Team Pauian Archiland (TPE), +1:48.150
PCCA round 8 results - top ten
1, Craig BAIRD (NZL),SC Global Racing (SIN), 28:49.024
2, Marchy LEE (HKG),Red Bull Racing (HKG), +2.251
3, Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG),LKM Racing (HKG), +3.114
4, Christian MENZEL (GER), Team StarChase (CHN), +11.078
5, Rodolfo AVILA (MAC), Team Jebsen (HKG), +21.138
6, MOK Weng Sun (SIN), Team PCS Racing (SIN), +53.741
7, Ringo CHONG (SIN), Team Kangshun (CHN), +56.339
8, Jeffrey LEE (TPE), Team Pauian Archiland (TPE), +58.901
9, Francis TJIA (HKG), OpenRoad Racing (HKG), +60.456
10, Philip MA (HKG), Jacob & Co Racing (HKG), +61.854
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Baird in a race against time
Leading New Zealand race driver Craig Baird returns to Singapore unsure how the VnC Cocktails - SC Global Porsche 911 will perform at this weekend's Formula One SingTel Grand Prix following transit damage to the championship contender's car.
There to contest the penultimate round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia(PCCA) on the street course used during the night Formula One race, Baird says his championship aspirations rest largely with his Triple X team being able to get the car ready for action.
His car initially suffered significant chassis damage in the first race of the previous round held at Zhuhai (China), in June. Sent to a Porsche repair centre in China, it was returned to factory condition ready for the journey to Singapore. En-route to Beijing, ahead of its sea journey, Baird’s containered car sustained further and fresh damage during a truck accident that resulted in fatal injuries for its driver. Damage assessments are inconclusive, with the shipping of the car a first priority.
Circumstances now require Baird and his Triple X Motorsport team to alter their travel arrangements and head to Singapore earlier than initially allowed. Aside from cosmetic damage, the team need to assess the car’s race condition by measuring its datum points for alignment.
“We need to get it as close as possible if we're to use any of the data gained so far this season,” said Baird of his situation. “Otherwise we're starting from scratch; it's just so unknown at this stage, we're relying on so many others outside the team's control.”
Currently second in the 2010 PCCA championship standings with two events left to contest, the 40-year-old Kiwi currently trails the defending title holder Christian Menzel from Germany by 18 points.
Against a stellar line-up this weekend that includes former champion, Darryl O'Young from Hong Kong, Marchy Lee and Rodolfo Avila are also rated as some of the better racers in the Asia-Pacific region. Although Baird does have the benefit of past form: it's the only event on the six scheduled for 2010 the ex-pat Kiwi has contested before.
Finishing second overall in 2009 to Menzel on the Singapore streets, Baird says the night atmosphere is a great one for drivers.
“The atmosphere surrounding the event is a good distraction for young bucks; cool hands are rewarded. So it's the best opportunity of the year to put the VnC Cocktails - SC Global car at the front given the result from last year, if the dice rolls our way.”
Following the scratching of the Korean round scheduled for August, Singapore now becomes the fifth event Baird and his New Zealand team contest for their inaugural 2010 Asian title chase.
With only one 30-minute practice late on Friday around the 5.073 kilometre circuit set in Marina Bay, Baird head's in to qualifying at 3.30pm on Saturday with the first 12-lap race run just 90 minutes later. The second and final race of the weekend is just prior to the start of Sunday's Formula One night Grand Prix.
There to contest the penultimate round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia(PCCA) on the street course used during the night Formula One race, Baird says his championship aspirations rest largely with his Triple X team being able to get the car ready for action.
His car initially suffered significant chassis damage in the first race of the previous round held at Zhuhai (China), in June. Sent to a Porsche repair centre in China, it was returned to factory condition ready for the journey to Singapore. En-route to Beijing, ahead of its sea journey, Baird’s containered car sustained further and fresh damage during a truck accident that resulted in fatal injuries for its driver. Damage assessments are inconclusive, with the shipping of the car a first priority.
Circumstances now require Baird and his Triple X Motorsport team to alter their travel arrangements and head to Singapore earlier than initially allowed. Aside from cosmetic damage, the team need to assess the car’s race condition by measuring its datum points for alignment.
“We need to get it as close as possible if we're to use any of the data gained so far this season,” said Baird of his situation. “Otherwise we're starting from scratch; it's just so unknown at this stage, we're relying on so many others outside the team's control.”
Currently second in the 2010 PCCA championship standings with two events left to contest, the 40-year-old Kiwi currently trails the defending title holder Christian Menzel from Germany by 18 points.
Against a stellar line-up this weekend that includes former champion, Darryl O'Young from Hong Kong, Marchy Lee and Rodolfo Avila are also rated as some of the better racers in the Asia-Pacific region. Although Baird does have the benefit of past form: it's the only event on the six scheduled for 2010 the ex-pat Kiwi has contested before.
Finishing second overall in 2009 to Menzel on the Singapore streets, Baird says the night atmosphere is a great one for drivers.
“The atmosphere surrounding the event is a good distraction for young bucks; cool hands are rewarded. So it's the best opportunity of the year to put the VnC Cocktails - SC Global car at the front given the result from last year, if the dice rolls our way.”
Following the scratching of the Korean round scheduled for August, Singapore now becomes the fifth event Baird and his New Zealand team contest for their inaugural 2010 Asian title chase.
With only one 30-minute practice late on Friday around the 5.073 kilometre circuit set in Marina Bay, Baird head's in to qualifying at 3.30pm on Saturday with the first 12-lap race run just 90 minutes later. The second and final race of the weekend is just prior to the start of Sunday's Formula One night Grand Prix.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Second best for Baird in China
New Zealand’s Craig Baird remains upbeat at still holding second overall in the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia series despite being taken out of the weekend’s first race at Zhuhai International Circuit in China.
The two-race weekend in China’s Pearl River Delta region covered rounds five and six of 11 on the 2010 calendar. With Baird having been fastest in early qualifying, his run of bad luck began with being baulked on his last flying lap despite having set fastest sector times.
Relegated to third for the opening 12-lap race the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi was gridded behind Team Jebsen’s Rodolfo Avila and Red Bull Racing’s Marchy Lee, but ahead of series leader Christian Menzel. Getting a better start than his rivals, he’d moved to second by the second lap. That dropped pole sitter Rodolfo Avila to fourth, when the Macau racer made a dive-bomb move on Baird and Menzel. Out-braking himself, he drilled in to the right-side of the Baird VnC Cocktails Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car and then Menzel, to force all three in to the retirement of the gravel trap.
Surprised at the move, Baird said it was the bigger picture that mattered.
“Having Menzel alongside as a retiree meant the championship was still alive,” he said.
“I’ve had to moderate my thoughts on what happened; we’re here for the title – so have to take each race as it comes.”
Starting from the back of the grid for the second 12-lap race with championship leading rival Menzel, it was a case of collecting as many points as possible. Void of the earlier race antics, Baird finished fourth overall, one behind Menzel.
“It was the best of a bad situation - the Triple X Motorsport guys worked tirelessly in the two-hour timeframe between the races to get the car ready after the accident. The impact was so severe there is quite a shift in the chassis. So while they got the wheels straight, they didn’t have time to try getting it balanced and setup as they’d have liked. It was a great result to only lose two points on Menzel’s lead following the afternoon race.”
“And it was hot – humid – every bit of uncomfortable you could imagine. The cool suit and helmet blower got a great test.”
At the calendar half-way mark, Baird is second overall in his first full season of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia series, 18 points behind defending champion Christian Menzel (GER).
With a two-month break until the seventh and eighth rounds for the 2010 title, Baird and his Auckland based crew will again have a new venue to learn – the Korean International Circuit, based in Yeongam County, South Korea (27 – 29 August).
Race two (round six) results – top ten.
Pos, Driver, Country, Team, Time
1, Marchy LEE, HKG, Red Bull Racing 20:04.536
2, Keita SAWA , JPN, LKM Racing +2.252
3, Christian MENZEL , GER, Team StarChase +3.049
4, Craig BAIRD, NZL, Team PCS Racing +15.259
5, Rodolfo AVILA, MAC, Team Jebsen +15.465
6, MOK Weng Sun, SIN, Team PCS Racing +18.693
7, Jeffrey LEE, TPE, Team Pauian Archiland +24.249
8, Wayne SHEN, HKG, Modena Motorsports +25.994
9, Philip MA, HKG, Jacob & Co Racing +27.313
10, Francis TJIA, HKG, OpenRoad Racing +27.890
2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia – points after six (of 11) rounds – top five.
1, Christian MENZEL , GER, 98
2, Craig BAIRD, NZL, 80
3, MOK Weng Sun, SIN, 74
4, Marchy LEE, HKG, 74
5, Keita SAWA , JPN, 55
The two-race weekend in China’s Pearl River Delta region covered rounds five and six of 11 on the 2010 calendar. With Baird having been fastest in early qualifying, his run of bad luck began with being baulked on his last flying lap despite having set fastest sector times.
Relegated to third for the opening 12-lap race the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi was gridded behind Team Jebsen’s Rodolfo Avila and Red Bull Racing’s Marchy Lee, but ahead of series leader Christian Menzel. Getting a better start than his rivals, he’d moved to second by the second lap. That dropped pole sitter Rodolfo Avila to fourth, when the Macau racer made a dive-bomb move on Baird and Menzel. Out-braking himself, he drilled in to the right-side of the Baird VnC Cocktails Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car and then Menzel, to force all three in to the retirement of the gravel trap.
Surprised at the move, Baird said it was the bigger picture that mattered.
“Having Menzel alongside as a retiree meant the championship was still alive,” he said.
“I’ve had to moderate my thoughts on what happened; we’re here for the title – so have to take each race as it comes.”
Starting from the back of the grid for the second 12-lap race with championship leading rival Menzel, it was a case of collecting as many points as possible. Void of the earlier race antics, Baird finished fourth overall, one behind Menzel.
“It was the best of a bad situation - the Triple X Motorsport guys worked tirelessly in the two-hour timeframe between the races to get the car ready after the accident. The impact was so severe there is quite a shift in the chassis. So while they got the wheels straight, they didn’t have time to try getting it balanced and setup as they’d have liked. It was a great result to only lose two points on Menzel’s lead following the afternoon race.”
“And it was hot – humid – every bit of uncomfortable you could imagine. The cool suit and helmet blower got a great test.”
At the calendar half-way mark, Baird is second overall in his first full season of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia series, 18 points behind defending champion Christian Menzel (GER).
With a two-month break until the seventh and eighth rounds for the 2010 title, Baird and his Auckland based crew will again have a new venue to learn – the Korean International Circuit, based in Yeongam County, South Korea (27 – 29 August).
Race two (round six) results – top ten.
Pos, Driver, Country, Team, Time
1, Marchy LEE, HKG, Red Bull Racing 20:04.536
2, Keita SAWA , JPN, LKM Racing +2.252
3, Christian MENZEL , GER, Team StarChase +3.049
4, Craig BAIRD, NZL, Team PCS Racing +15.259
5, Rodolfo AVILA, MAC, Team Jebsen +15.465
6, MOK Weng Sun, SIN, Team PCS Racing +18.693
7, Jeffrey LEE, TPE, Team Pauian Archiland +24.249
8, Wayne SHEN, HKG, Modena Motorsports +25.994
9, Philip MA, HKG, Jacob & Co Racing +27.313
10, Francis TJIA, HKG, OpenRoad Racing +27.890
2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia – points after six (of 11) rounds – top five.
1, Christian MENZEL , GER, 98
2, Craig BAIRD, NZL, 80
3, MOK Weng Sun, SIN, 74
4, Marchy LEE, HKG, 74
5, Keita SAWA , JPN, 55
Monday, June 14, 2010
Third time lucky for Baird in China
For the third time in as many months Kiwi Craig Baird heads to China for another learning weekend as the under-dog in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race series against a German defending champion.
Currently second after two race events totalling four rounds, the 39-year-old Baird and his VnC Cocktails Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car again head to a venue new to the New Zealand based team. Rounds five and six (of 11) are being contested at the 4.3 kilometre Zhuhai International Circuit in China’s Pearl River Delta region this weekend (18 – 20 June).
“It’ll be about hitting the setup from the get go,” says Baird of the plan to win races and close in on the 16-point championship lead. “We need to be ahead of the pace and Christian Menzel (the series leader). Getting pole position is goal number one. Once we’ve done that the racing becomes a lot simpler and it’s really the start and tyre strategy that become variables.”
“We’ve got a good handle on the setup and are now just fine-tuning our plan on how the Michelin tyre works in these hotter climates.”
“At Beijing we had the car working better early in the race, but didn’t have enough toward the end when Menzel was making mistakes from the pressure I was applying once I’d made up the start-grid gap difference.”
With the additional reward of a championship point for setting fastest time in qualifying, Baird says the start grid illustrates the difference between first and the rest.
“The starting position between the cars is a diagonal and car length behind, so starting anywhere but on pole is a huge backward step. Even with a mega start you’re not going to make up that gap by the first turn – you need to start from the front if you’re going to do anything but win.”
“Qualifying at Beijing showed how we could influence the opposition. With three sets of new tyres available for the weekend we had Menzel’s team sitting in the pits having used two sets already in setting fastest time. They were ready to run their last set just to keep us from starting ahead of them. So we know we’re all but caught up to a defending champion who’s prepared to try anything.
The weekend’s Pan Delta Super Racing Festival will feature a 12-lap Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race on Saturday and Sunday, following an intense 30-minute qualifying shootout on the Friday. Part of the record 23-strong field, Baird says the identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars have made his job a lot more rewarding.
“We’re right out of our comfort zone. With different cultures, new venues and the extremes of temperature and humidity it’s a whole lot tougher than anything else you could do.”
The Queensland based Kiwi is joined by Triple X Motorsport’s Todd Bickerton and Ian McNabb who prepare and run the New Zealand funded VnC Cocktails Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.
Currently second after two race events totalling four rounds, the 39-year-old Baird and his VnC Cocktails Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car again head to a venue new to the New Zealand based team. Rounds five and six (of 11) are being contested at the 4.3 kilometre Zhuhai International Circuit in China’s Pearl River Delta region this weekend (18 – 20 June).
“It’ll be about hitting the setup from the get go,” says Baird of the plan to win races and close in on the 16-point championship lead. “We need to be ahead of the pace and Christian Menzel (the series leader). Getting pole position is goal number one. Once we’ve done that the racing becomes a lot simpler and it’s really the start and tyre strategy that become variables.”
“We’ve got a good handle on the setup and are now just fine-tuning our plan on how the Michelin tyre works in these hotter climates.”
“At Beijing we had the car working better early in the race, but didn’t have enough toward the end when Menzel was making mistakes from the pressure I was applying once I’d made up the start-grid gap difference.”
With the additional reward of a championship point for setting fastest time in qualifying, Baird says the start grid illustrates the difference between first and the rest.
“The starting position between the cars is a diagonal and car length behind, so starting anywhere but on pole is a huge backward step. Even with a mega start you’re not going to make up that gap by the first turn – you need to start from the front if you’re going to do anything but win.”
“Qualifying at Beijing showed how we could influence the opposition. With three sets of new tyres available for the weekend we had Menzel’s team sitting in the pits having used two sets already in setting fastest time. They were ready to run their last set just to keep us from starting ahead of them. So we know we’re all but caught up to a defending champion who’s prepared to try anything.
The weekend’s Pan Delta Super Racing Festival will feature a 12-lap Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race on Saturday and Sunday, following an intense 30-minute qualifying shootout on the Friday. Part of the record 23-strong field, Baird says the identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars have made his job a lot more rewarding.
“We’re right out of our comfort zone. With different cultures, new venues and the extremes of temperature and humidity it’s a whole lot tougher than anything else you could do.”
The Queensland based Kiwi is joined by Triple X Motorsport’s Todd Bickerton and Ian McNabb who prepare and run the New Zealand funded VnC Cocktails Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Second for Baird in China
Kiwi Craig Baird MNZM has moved to second overall in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia standings, following a pair of second placings in the VnC Cocktails Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car at Bejing’s Goldenport International Circuit on Sunday.
Climbing another step toward the top of the series podium, Baird’s result was again at a circuit he’d never previously driven. The two races counted toward rounds three and four (of 11) in the 2010 series, with Baird pleased at their forward progress compared the series opener at Shanghai in April.
“In some ways it’s been a great weekend – we went back to basics here, and the car is good in terms of setup, now we can concentrate on beating (Christian) Menzel,” said Baird.
On 66 points – 14 behind series leader Christian Menzel (GER), Baird’s best result was in qualifying when he was 0.128 second off the fastest time around the 2.4 kilometre circuit. Unable to capitalise on the front-row position alongside the defending series champion at the start, Baird instead had to follow Menzel’s bumper for the accident shortened 14 lap race (of 25).
In a repeat result for the afternoon 25 lap race, Baird could but follow the German, finishing 1.717 seconds behind at the chequered flag.
“I had a better start than in the first race, but still not good enough to get the advantage over Menzel. My car was probably better than his at the start of the race but you could see his team’s strategy of it coming on late-race is what kept him out of reach.”
Adding to his weekend, Baird was notified he’d been awarded the prestigious Jim Clark Trophy at the MotorSport New Zealand’s premier awards on Saturday evening.
“That was great news and is a very special award for any driver to have hold. So to me, to win it for the second successive year, makes it a very rewarding weekend – it’s just a shame I could be in New Zealand to uplift it. But it’s also a tribute to my team – the Triple X Motorsport guys, here with me, and the rest back home for our Porsche title. Plus the United Video PSR Racing team, including my father-in-law Gary Pedersen – who helped me to that V8 title.”
Returning to his Queensland home for a few weeks, Baird will reunite with his Triple X Motorsport team in China mid-June for round’s five and six, being raced at the Zhuhai International Circuit (18 – 20 June).
# # #
Results: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2010 - Beijing International Circuit (rounds three and four).
Round 4 Results
Pos. Driver Cls Entrant Time
1 Christian MENZEL (GER) A Team StarChase (CHN) 31:03.066
2 Craig BAIRD (NZL) A Team PCS Racing (SIN) +1.717
3 Keita SAWA (JPN)* A LKM Racing (HKG) +5.326
4 Rodolfo AVILA (MAC) A Team Jebsen (HKG) +5.620
5 MOK Weng Sun (SIN) B Team PCS Racing (SIN) +11.758
6 Philip MA (HKG) A Jacob & Co Racing (HKG) +14.182
7 Jean Marc MERLIN (FRA) B Team J2M Racing (FRA) +16.934
8 Wayne SHEN (HKG) B Modena Motorsports (HKG) +17.206
9 Yuey TAN (SIN) B Wimobilize McElrea Racing (SIN) +18.035
10 Christian CHIA (CAN) B OpenRoad Racing (HKG) +22.654
Round 3 Results
Pos. Comp No. Driver Cls Entrant Time
1 Christian MENZEL (GER) A Team StarChase (CHN) 18:32.903
2 Craig BAIRD (NZL) A Team PCS Racing (SIN) +3.600
3 Marchy LEE (HKG) A Red Bull Racing (HKG) +8.067
4 Rodolfo AVILA (MAC) A Team Jebsen (HKG) +8.638
5 MOK Weng Sun (SIN) B Team PCS Racing (SIN) +13.448
6 Jean Marc MERLIN (FRA) B Team J2M Racing (FRA) +20.755
7 Philip MA (HKG) A Jacob & Co Racing (HKG) +21.245
8 Francis TJIA (HKG) B OpenRoad Racing (HKG) +24.124
9 Yuey TAN (SIN) B Wimobilize McElrea Racing (SIN) +25.259
10 Christian CHIA (CAN) B OpenRoad Racing (HKG) +29.491
2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Championship – overall points (after four of 11 rounds) – top-five.
N.B. each race is classified a race round
1. C Menzel (GER), 82
2. C Baird (NZL) 66
3. M Sun (SIN) 48
4. R Avila (MAC) 40
5. D O’Young (HKG) 36
Climbing another step toward the top of the series podium, Baird’s result was again at a circuit he’d never previously driven. The two races counted toward rounds three and four (of 11) in the 2010 series, with Baird pleased at their forward progress compared the series opener at Shanghai in April.
“In some ways it’s been a great weekend – we went back to basics here, and the car is good in terms of setup, now we can concentrate on beating (Christian) Menzel,” said Baird.
On 66 points – 14 behind series leader Christian Menzel (GER), Baird’s best result was in qualifying when he was 0.128 second off the fastest time around the 2.4 kilometre circuit. Unable to capitalise on the front-row position alongside the defending series champion at the start, Baird instead had to follow Menzel’s bumper for the accident shortened 14 lap race (of 25).
In a repeat result for the afternoon 25 lap race, Baird could but follow the German, finishing 1.717 seconds behind at the chequered flag.
“I had a better start than in the first race, but still not good enough to get the advantage over Menzel. My car was probably better than his at the start of the race but you could see his team’s strategy of it coming on late-race is what kept him out of reach.”
Adding to his weekend, Baird was notified he’d been awarded the prestigious Jim Clark Trophy at the MotorSport New Zealand’s premier awards on Saturday evening.
“That was great news and is a very special award for any driver to have hold. So to me, to win it for the second successive year, makes it a very rewarding weekend – it’s just a shame I could be in New Zealand to uplift it. But it’s also a tribute to my team – the Triple X Motorsport guys, here with me, and the rest back home for our Porsche title. Plus the United Video PSR Racing team, including my father-in-law Gary Pedersen – who helped me to that V8 title.”
Returning to his Queensland home for a few weeks, Baird will reunite with his Triple X Motorsport team in China mid-June for round’s five and six, being raced at the Zhuhai International Circuit (18 – 20 June).
# # #
Results: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2010 - Beijing International Circuit (rounds three and four).
Round 4 Results
Pos. Driver Cls Entrant Time
1 Christian MENZEL (GER) A Team StarChase (CHN) 31:03.066
2 Craig BAIRD (NZL) A Team PCS Racing (SIN) +1.717
3 Keita SAWA (JPN)* A LKM Racing (HKG) +5.326
4 Rodolfo AVILA (MAC) A Team Jebsen (HKG) +5.620
5 MOK Weng Sun (SIN) B Team PCS Racing (SIN) +11.758
6 Philip MA (HKG) A Jacob & Co Racing (HKG) +14.182
7 Jean Marc MERLIN (FRA) B Team J2M Racing (FRA) +16.934
8 Wayne SHEN (HKG) B Modena Motorsports (HKG) +17.206
9 Yuey TAN (SIN) B Wimobilize McElrea Racing (SIN) +18.035
10 Christian CHIA (CAN) B OpenRoad Racing (HKG) +22.654
Round 3 Results
Pos. Comp No. Driver Cls Entrant Time
1 Christian MENZEL (GER) A Team StarChase (CHN) 18:32.903
2 Craig BAIRD (NZL) A Team PCS Racing (SIN) +3.600
3 Marchy LEE (HKG) A Red Bull Racing (HKG) +8.067
4 Rodolfo AVILA (MAC) A Team Jebsen (HKG) +8.638
5 MOK Weng Sun (SIN) B Team PCS Racing (SIN) +13.448
6 Jean Marc MERLIN (FRA) B Team J2M Racing (FRA) +20.755
7 Philip MA (HKG) A Jacob & Co Racing (HKG) +21.245
8 Francis TJIA (HKG) B OpenRoad Racing (HKG) +24.124
9 Yuey TAN (SIN) B Wimobilize McElrea Racing (SIN) +25.259
10 Christian CHIA (CAN) B OpenRoad Racing (HKG) +29.491
2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Championship – overall points (after four of 11 rounds) – top-five.
N.B. each race is classified a race round
1. C Menzel (GER), 82
2. C Baird (NZL) 66
3. M Sun (SIN) 48
4. R Avila (MAC) 40
5. D O’Young (HKG) 36
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Beijing Porsche battle for Baird
Recently honoured New Zealander Craig Baird MNZM, has higher aspirations for this weekend’s second round of the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia being raced in Beijing 21-23 May. Currently third in the title standings for professional race drivers after the first two rounds, 39-year-old Baird returns to China with his Auckland based Triple X Motorsport crew, sure of an improvement in his point position.
“We started the season on a new circuit (to me) with a new car – unsure of how setup changes would alter the car characteristics. It’ll still be a new circuit, but I’ve got my head around the car so feel comfortable at setting times to put us at the front of the grid,” said the now Queensland based Kiwi.
Tackling two races at the 2.4 kilometre Goldenport International Circuit, Baird says reigning Porsche Carrera Cup Asia champion Christian Menzel is there for the taking.
“He’s a great driver to race against – so is the perfect benchmark to start our weekend alongside.” Although Baird considers Menzel’s 11 point lead perfect fodder to oust the current leader.
“Even though he has an advantage of having raced the track previously, we’ve beaten him before so I have to keep him behind me. While we can claim some of our lost ground, it’s going to take a non-finish on his part to really open up the championship - its early days.”
With strict guidelines on when the cars can be prepared for the race weekend, the team head to Beijing Monday night, acclimatising ahead of the Wednesday morning when they can un-pack the VnC Cocktails Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. Checking the car over, the team rely on local contacts to supply any parts to have the car ready for Friday testing. Following qualifying on Saturday, the two 25-lap Sunday races account for rounds three and four of the 11 race season.
Located 20 kilometres from the Beijing Capital International Airport, the weekend incorporates the Fascination Porsche event from May 21-23, which will cover a host of motorsport-related activities. Featuring a display of vintage Porsche cars, brought especially to Beijing from the Porsche museum in Stuttgart, Germany, it will include icons of Porsche performance.
The impressive line-up will comprise such notable racing cars as the 550 Spyder which Hans Hermann drove to a class victory in the Carrera Panamericana of 1954, the record-breaking Porsche 904/8, and an icon of Porsche performance, the Porsche 917 Langheck which gave Porsche its first overall victory at Le Mans in 1970. Also featured will be a Porsche 959, the model which took first and second places in the 1986 Paris-Dakar Rally.
“We started the season on a new circuit (to me) with a new car – unsure of how setup changes would alter the car characteristics. It’ll still be a new circuit, but I’ve got my head around the car so feel comfortable at setting times to put us at the front of the grid,” said the now Queensland based Kiwi.
Tackling two races at the 2.4 kilometre Goldenport International Circuit, Baird says reigning Porsche Carrera Cup Asia champion Christian Menzel is there for the taking.
“He’s a great driver to race against – so is the perfect benchmark to start our weekend alongside.” Although Baird considers Menzel’s 11 point lead perfect fodder to oust the current leader.
“Even though he has an advantage of having raced the track previously, we’ve beaten him before so I have to keep him behind me. While we can claim some of our lost ground, it’s going to take a non-finish on his part to really open up the championship - its early days.”
With strict guidelines on when the cars can be prepared for the race weekend, the team head to Beijing Monday night, acclimatising ahead of the Wednesday morning when they can un-pack the VnC Cocktails Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. Checking the car over, the team rely on local contacts to supply any parts to have the car ready for Friday testing. Following qualifying on Saturday, the two 25-lap Sunday races account for rounds three and four of the 11 race season.
Located 20 kilometres from the Beijing Capital International Airport, the weekend incorporates the Fascination Porsche event from May 21-23, which will cover a host of motorsport-related activities. Featuring a display of vintage Porsche cars, brought especially to Beijing from the Porsche museum in Stuttgart, Germany, it will include icons of Porsche performance.
The impressive line-up will comprise such notable racing cars as the 550 Spyder which Hans Hermann drove to a class victory in the Carrera Panamericana of 1954, the record-breaking Porsche 904/8, and an icon of Porsche performance, the Porsche 917 Langheck which gave Porsche its first overall victory at Le Mans in 1970. Also featured will be a Porsche 959, the model which took first and second places in the 1986 Paris-Dakar Rally.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Podium for Baird in Shanghai
Kiwi Craig Baird has finished the first event on the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia third overall after two races supporting the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai in the weekend.
Driving a brand-new 2010 specification Porsche GT3 type 997, Baird faced tough opposition from 22 other teams also contesting the series.
The first time the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi has raced the 5.451 kilometre circuit in China, crucial setup changes did not work as calculated. Instead Baird could do little more than chase the time difference having qualified to start the first race from fourth position.
“We’re still trying to establish the setup window of these new cars – and while a wrong choice puts you on the back-foot, it’s the fastest way to learn a lesson,” said Baird.
Fourth in the first race and third in the second, the overall points currently award Baird third place in the title standings of the eleven round series.
“They’re solid points and while it’s not the result we’d expect, we’ve got a lot more to come from the car. It’s going to be a tough season and if it’s one thing Kiwi’s do well – is tough.”
Supported by New Zealand made brand VnC Cocktails, Baird also had two mechanics working with him from his championship winning Triple X Motorsport team.
“Looking for bigger gains we’ve learned some tough lessons, so as a team we’re a lot stronger – now we’ve got a month to turn that information in to better results,” he added.
Trailing series leading and defending champion Christian Menzel (Germany) who won both the weekend races, Baird also sits behind former champion Darryl O’Young (Hong Kong). Returning home in the interim, the team travel back to China in May for the second event on the calendar: the Beijing Goldenport circuit, 21-23 May.
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Championship – overall points (after two of 11 rounds) – top-five.
N.B. each race is classified a race round
1. C Menzel (GER), 41
2. D O’Young (HKG) 36
3. C Baird (NZL) 30
4. M Sun (SIN) 24
5. R Chong (SIN) 20
Driving a brand-new 2010 specification Porsche GT3 type 997, Baird faced tough opposition from 22 other teams also contesting the series.
The first time the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi has raced the 5.451 kilometre circuit in China, crucial setup changes did not work as calculated. Instead Baird could do little more than chase the time difference having qualified to start the first race from fourth position.
“We’re still trying to establish the setup window of these new cars – and while a wrong choice puts you on the back-foot, it’s the fastest way to learn a lesson,” said Baird.
Fourth in the first race and third in the second, the overall points currently award Baird third place in the title standings of the eleven round series.
“They’re solid points and while it’s not the result we’d expect, we’ve got a lot more to come from the car. It’s going to be a tough season and if it’s one thing Kiwi’s do well – is tough.”
Supported by New Zealand made brand VnC Cocktails, Baird also had two mechanics working with him from his championship winning Triple X Motorsport team.
“Looking for bigger gains we’ve learned some tough lessons, so as a team we’re a lot stronger – now we’ve got a month to turn that information in to better results,” he added.
Trailing series leading and defending champion Christian Menzel (Germany) who won both the weekend races, Baird also sits behind former champion Darryl O’Young (Hong Kong). Returning home in the interim, the team travel back to China in May for the second event on the calendar: the Beijing Goldenport circuit, 21-23 May.
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Championship – overall points (after two of 11 rounds) – top-five.
N.B. each race is classified a race round
1. C Menzel (GER), 41
2. D O’Young (HKG) 36
3. C Baird (NZL) 30
4. M Sun (SIN) 24
5. R Chong (SIN) 20
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Kiwi made product and driver head to China
Baird only Kiwi in Asia series
As one of 23 drivers and teams entered to the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, New Zealand’s Craig Baird and the VnC Cocktail brand head to China for this weekend’s opening round 17-18 April.
Contested over six events, starting with this weekend’s Formula One race in China, 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi Baird says it’s a statement about how capable New Zealanders are on the world stage.
“We’ve got a New Zealand crew, we’re all on New Zealand passports, and we’re backed by New Zealand’s VnC Cocktails – a New Zealand made product. In China we’re going to be looked after by representatives from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise – who are helping with the VnC Cocktails brand there.”
Fastest during pre-season testing in Malaysia, Baird will drive the brand new 2010 edition of Porsche’s 911 GT3 Cup car type 997. However, Baird notes the mixture of professional teams and drivers from Europe and Asia won’t make it easy racing.
“Biggest challenge will be making sure we go up the right path with setup and make the right calls. My toughest opposition, defending champion Christian Menzel (Germany), has knowledge of all the test driving performed with the new car and should know its characteristics. Rodolfo Avila (Macau) is a bit of an unknown, having won races up there before.”
Plus, a late entry by former champion Darryl O’Young (Hong Kong), adds to the international depth Baird has to outclass.
“It’s easier to race two than one. When you add a third element one has to defend, one has to pass, so it opens up the racing to be more enjoyable.”
Running the car for Team Porsche Club Singapore (Team PCS), two mechanics from Triple X Motorsport have the advantage of having worked with Baird over the summer season to secure another successive Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge title. Already en-route to China, they will be joined later in the week by Baird MNZM, who has just completed his investiture ceremony at Government House having been named in the 2010 New Year honours list.
Shanghai International Circuit, at 5.451 kilometres, will be Baird’s first Porsche race around the Formula One venue. Rewarded with 20 championship points and US$2500 for a race win, teams’ contest two races during the weekend – each recorded as a separate championship round.
As one of 23 drivers and teams entered to the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, New Zealand’s Craig Baird and the VnC Cocktail brand head to China for this weekend’s opening round 17-18 April.
Contested over six events, starting with this weekend’s Formula One race in China, 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi Baird says it’s a statement about how capable New Zealanders are on the world stage.
“We’ve got a New Zealand crew, we’re all on New Zealand passports, and we’re backed by New Zealand’s VnC Cocktails – a New Zealand made product. In China we’re going to be looked after by representatives from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise – who are helping with the VnC Cocktails brand there.”
Fastest during pre-season testing in Malaysia, Baird will drive the brand new 2010 edition of Porsche’s 911 GT3 Cup car type 997. However, Baird notes the mixture of professional teams and drivers from Europe and Asia won’t make it easy racing.
“Biggest challenge will be making sure we go up the right path with setup and make the right calls. My toughest opposition, defending champion Christian Menzel (Germany), has knowledge of all the test driving performed with the new car and should know its characteristics. Rodolfo Avila (Macau) is a bit of an unknown, having won races up there before.”
Plus, a late entry by former champion Darryl O’Young (Hong Kong), adds to the international depth Baird has to outclass.
“It’s easier to race two than one. When you add a third element one has to defend, one has to pass, so it opens up the racing to be more enjoyable.”
Running the car for Team Porsche Club Singapore (Team PCS), two mechanics from Triple X Motorsport have the advantage of having worked with Baird over the summer season to secure another successive Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge title. Already en-route to China, they will be joined later in the week by Baird MNZM, who has just completed his investiture ceremony at Government House having been named in the 2010 New Year honours list.
Shanghai International Circuit, at 5.451 kilometres, will be Baird’s first Porsche race around the Formula One venue. Rewarded with 20 championship points and US$2500 for a race win, teams’ contest two races during the weekend – each recorded as a separate championship round.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Bamber misses Toyota title in last-lap battle
Wanganui’s Earl Bamber had a nail-biting clincher to the 2010 Toyota Racing Series – losing his race grip on the title crown after a last-lap gain by rival Mitch Evans.
Winning this morning’s 20-lap Denny Hulme trophy race in the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40, Bamber started the afternoon 12-lap race from sixth in the top-six reverse grid finale. Making a careful start he worked his way to the front for what resulted in a three-peat victory for the weekend. However the overall title came down to the finishing position of 15-year-old Evans, who needed to finish third or better.
Triple X Motorsport team-mate Stefan Webling moved the Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota to second behind Bamber with Palmerston North’s Sam McNeill following through to hold third position – ousting Evans from the top tier. However the positions reversed in the dying laps, with McNeill suffering front wing damage to let Evans back to third in the race and the series lead.
Bamber said he could see the frantic duelling unfolding in his mirrors – only able to help his own cause by finishing first.
“It came close, but full credit to Mitch, such a young guy and he held on without making any mistakes. The race was a hard one to judge and I think he deserves the credit of the title,” said the 19-year-old.
“The car was brilliant – it had so much grip, drive and turn-in – it was full credit to the Triple X Motorsport team to allow me to win the race.”
With the most race wins for the season, Bamber was only three points from title contention at the final chequered flag around the 3.5 kilometre Taupo circuit.
Following Bamber to the chequered flag, 21-year-old Webling was elated with his finish to the season – paying tribute to the team behind his #41 Toyota car.
“For the first time this season we started from the front row and we had a good car. We put Earl’s setup on it for the last race, changed my style a bit and I was able to get along to get my best result of the series,” said Webling.
“I’ve learned so much from Earl and really enjoyed racing hard together and working with Triple X Motorsport – they’ve got a good team and are all experienced at the top level.”
Toyota Racing Series points after round five (of five) – top seven
1, Mitch Evans, Auckland, 915
2, Earl Bamber, Triple X, Wanganui, 912
3, Andrew Waite, Auckland, 717
4, Sten Pentus, Estonia, 660
5, Daniel Jileson, Taumaruni, 589
6, Alastair Wootten, Auckland, 584
7, Stefan Webling, Triple X, New Plymouth, 606
Winning this morning’s 20-lap Denny Hulme trophy race in the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40, Bamber started the afternoon 12-lap race from sixth in the top-six reverse grid finale. Making a careful start he worked his way to the front for what resulted in a three-peat victory for the weekend. However the overall title came down to the finishing position of 15-year-old Evans, who needed to finish third or better.
Triple X Motorsport team-mate Stefan Webling moved the Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota to second behind Bamber with Palmerston North’s Sam McNeill following through to hold third position – ousting Evans from the top tier. However the positions reversed in the dying laps, with McNeill suffering front wing damage to let Evans back to third in the race and the series lead.
Bamber said he could see the frantic duelling unfolding in his mirrors – only able to help his own cause by finishing first.
“It came close, but full credit to Mitch, such a young guy and he held on without making any mistakes. The race was a hard one to judge and I think he deserves the credit of the title,” said the 19-year-old.
“The car was brilliant – it had so much grip, drive and turn-in – it was full credit to the Triple X Motorsport team to allow me to win the race.”
With the most race wins for the season, Bamber was only three points from title contention at the final chequered flag around the 3.5 kilometre Taupo circuit.
Following Bamber to the chequered flag, 21-year-old Webling was elated with his finish to the season – paying tribute to the team behind his #41 Toyota car.
“For the first time this season we started from the front row and we had a good car. We put Earl’s setup on it for the last race, changed my style a bit and I was able to get along to get my best result of the series,” said Webling.
“I’ve learned so much from Earl and really enjoyed racing hard together and working with Triple X Motorsport – they’ve got a good team and are all experienced at the top level.”
Toyota Racing Series points after round five (of five) – top seven
1, Mitch Evans, Auckland, 915
2, Earl Bamber, Triple X, Wanganui, 912
3, Andrew Waite, Auckland, 717
4, Sten Pentus, Estonia, 660
5, Daniel Jileson, Taumaruni, 589
6, Alastair Wootten, Auckland, 584
7, Stefan Webling, Triple X, New Plymouth, 606
Baird claims record victory
A win in the final race of the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge cemented Triple X Motorsport’s third consecutive championship victory with Craig Baird securing an unprecedented sixth title at Taupo this weekend.
The 39-year-old’s 24th New Zealand title, Baird extended his all-time streak to 25 when he also won the V8 touring car title as well, at the final round of the summer race season.
Consolidating his points lead in the Sunday morning race with a third placing, Baird in the Mad Butcher ZM Porsche 997 started the season finale from the front row alongside Triple X Motorsport team-mate David Reynolds.
“I told the team early I wanted to go out and annihilate everyone,” said an animated Baird of his plan for the season.
“Today I had to consolidate the championship and is maybe half a reason why I’ve won so many is I think about how I’m going to do it. I think today proves the point, winning the championship by a big margin came first, then I could go all out for the final. And the very reason why was the people behind me – the Triple X Motorsport team, my family and supporters that have got me the very best so I can be the best.”
Driving the Indians bar Hampsta Porsche 997, Reynolds lost out in the drag to the first turn when Baird capitalised on the more favoured outside run to the tightening left-hand corner. Crossing the line third put the Melbourne based driver just out of reach of the weekend podium, having punctured early in this morning’s second race.
Finishing between the pair, 25-year-old Daniel Gaunt secured his third overall in the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge standings by finishing the final race second in the Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997.
“I had a lot of help from my friends – my Triple X Motorsport team-mates,” said the Auckland based driver. “They have been great all year, working together as a team we’ve secured first and third in the championship, which is another great result.”
“We had a plan for that final race – and it came off. The team came through with a great car and while our opposition came on strong toward the end of the season I’m proud of our results.”
Consistency also rewarded team principal Shane McKillen, finishing sixth and seventh for the day, the VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 driver paid tribute to his front-runners:
“It’s a team effort and we work hard on fostering that spirit, we all work together to deliver the results – from our engineers, drivers, right through to our business partners. Certainly this weekend has been rewarding for me as a driver, but seeing the guys up front battling with opposition and coming through is a just reward for everyone’s efforts.”
Auckland junior Courtney Letica driving the Altherm Porsche 997 made a great recovery from his earlier woes to finish just ahead of his team boss in the final. Christchurch’s Paul Kelly didn’t start the final race, deciding a suspected gearbox noise in the Paul Kelly Motor Company Porsche 997 wasn’t worth risking a potential failure.
Confirming Baird and Gaunt’s first and third in the championship will take place Sunday evening with an informal prizegiving in Taupo.
The team now focus on Baird contesting his inaugural season in the Carrera Cup Asia series, having set fastest time in testing for the 2010 season in Malaysia recently, with the first round being contested 16-18 April.
Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge points after round six (of six) – top-ten
1, Craig Baird, Triple X, Queensland, 1415
2, Jonny Reid, Auckland, 1269
3, Daniel Gaunt, Triple X, Auckland, 1236
4, Matt Halliday, USA, 1213
5, David Reynolds, Triple X, Melbourne, 1076
6, Courtney Letica, Triple X, Auckland, 835
7, Mitch Cunningham, Auckland, 797
8, Shane McKillen, Triple X, Auckland, 791
9, Hugh Gardiner, Auckland, 693
10 82 Andrew Bagnall Auckland 642
The 39-year-old’s 24th New Zealand title, Baird extended his all-time streak to 25 when he also won the V8 touring car title as well, at the final round of the summer race season.
Consolidating his points lead in the Sunday morning race with a third placing, Baird in the Mad Butcher ZM Porsche 997 started the season finale from the front row alongside Triple X Motorsport team-mate David Reynolds.
“I told the team early I wanted to go out and annihilate everyone,” said an animated Baird of his plan for the season.
“Today I had to consolidate the championship and is maybe half a reason why I’ve won so many is I think about how I’m going to do it. I think today proves the point, winning the championship by a big margin came first, then I could go all out for the final. And the very reason why was the people behind me – the Triple X Motorsport team, my family and supporters that have got me the very best so I can be the best.”
Driving the Indians bar Hampsta Porsche 997, Reynolds lost out in the drag to the first turn when Baird capitalised on the more favoured outside run to the tightening left-hand corner. Crossing the line third put the Melbourne based driver just out of reach of the weekend podium, having punctured early in this morning’s second race.
Finishing between the pair, 25-year-old Daniel Gaunt secured his third overall in the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge standings by finishing the final race second in the Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997.
“I had a lot of help from my friends – my Triple X Motorsport team-mates,” said the Auckland based driver. “They have been great all year, working together as a team we’ve secured first and third in the championship, which is another great result.”
“We had a plan for that final race – and it came off. The team came through with a great car and while our opposition came on strong toward the end of the season I’m proud of our results.”
Consistency also rewarded team principal Shane McKillen, finishing sixth and seventh for the day, the VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 driver paid tribute to his front-runners:
“It’s a team effort and we work hard on fostering that spirit, we all work together to deliver the results – from our engineers, drivers, right through to our business partners. Certainly this weekend has been rewarding for me as a driver, but seeing the guys up front battling with opposition and coming through is a just reward for everyone’s efforts.”
Auckland junior Courtney Letica driving the Altherm Porsche 997 made a great recovery from his earlier woes to finish just ahead of his team boss in the final. Christchurch’s Paul Kelly didn’t start the final race, deciding a suspected gearbox noise in the Paul Kelly Motor Company Porsche 997 wasn’t worth risking a potential failure.
Confirming Baird and Gaunt’s first and third in the championship will take place Sunday evening with an informal prizegiving in Taupo.
The team now focus on Baird contesting his inaugural season in the Carrera Cup Asia series, having set fastest time in testing for the 2010 season in Malaysia recently, with the first round being contested 16-18 April.
Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge points after round six (of six) – top-ten
1, Craig Baird, Triple X, Queensland, 1415
2, Jonny Reid, Auckland, 1269
3, Daniel Gaunt, Triple X, Auckland, 1236
4, Matt Halliday, USA, 1213
5, David Reynolds, Triple X, Melbourne, 1076
6, Courtney Letica, Triple X, Auckland, 835
7, Mitch Cunningham, Auckland, 797
8, Shane McKillen, Triple X, Auckland, 791
9, Hugh Gardiner, Auckland, 693
10 82 Andrew Bagnall Auckland 642
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Baird 0.3 second from championship title
Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird finished today’s 100 kilometre Mad Butcher Porsche race 0.3 of a second away from securing the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge title at Taupo.
The final of six rounds by the six car Auckland based team, Baird’s 182 point lead in the championship standings was reduced to 140 with two 75 point races left to run in the weekend.
Finishing fourth overall having spent an hour aboard a V8 touring car before the Porsche endurance race, Baird said the demands were unnecessary given what is at stake.
“To be fair I can’t believe the two sessions are back-to-back. I have to hurry between one car and getting in to the next so I don’t miss getting out on to the track before they close the pit lane,” said Baird having climbed from his right-hand-drive Ford to get in to the left-hand-drive Porsche before today’s race. “I’ve done two championships for two years and it’s not getting fairer. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to consider putting another race between them.”
With the race won by Jonny Reid, Triple X Motorsport’s Daniel Gaunt finished second having started from fourth in the Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997.
“We got a great pit-stop by the boys which was the fastest of the race - that helped. But we started our tyre pressures slightly lower and just kept the car straight to focus on looking after the tyres,” said the 25-year-old Gaunt. Scalping Matt Halliday late in the pursuit, Gaunt has consolidated his third place in the standings ahead of tomorrow’s two races.
Bad luck befell Melbourne’s David Reynolds, whose pole in qualifying and early race lead evaporated in the pit-stop when a wheel nut jammed. The Indians bar Hampsta Porsche 997 then had to stop a second time for a flat left front tyre, dropping Reynolds to eighth.
Auckland’s Courtney Letica finished fifth in the Altherm Porsche 997 having started 13th when he broke a rear suspension arm in the morning qualifying. Team principal Shane McKillen finished seventh in the VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 with Christchurch’s Paul Kelly ninth, driving the Paul Kelly Motors Porsche 997.
Concluding the summer race season; each of Sunday’s two races offer 75 points for the winner. The ten-lap race in the morning is followed mid-afternoon by the season ending 12 lap top-six reverse-grid. Baird needs to finish 21st or better to secure his sixth successive Porsche title.
The final of six rounds by the six car Auckland based team, Baird’s 182 point lead in the championship standings was reduced to 140 with two 75 point races left to run in the weekend.
Finishing fourth overall having spent an hour aboard a V8 touring car before the Porsche endurance race, Baird said the demands were unnecessary given what is at stake.
“To be fair I can’t believe the two sessions are back-to-back. I have to hurry between one car and getting in to the next so I don’t miss getting out on to the track before they close the pit lane,” said Baird having climbed from his right-hand-drive Ford to get in to the left-hand-drive Porsche before today’s race. “I’ve done two championships for two years and it’s not getting fairer. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to consider putting another race between them.”
With the race won by Jonny Reid, Triple X Motorsport’s Daniel Gaunt finished second having started from fourth in the Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997.
“We got a great pit-stop by the boys which was the fastest of the race - that helped. But we started our tyre pressures slightly lower and just kept the car straight to focus on looking after the tyres,” said the 25-year-old Gaunt. Scalping Matt Halliday late in the pursuit, Gaunt has consolidated his third place in the standings ahead of tomorrow’s two races.
Bad luck befell Melbourne’s David Reynolds, whose pole in qualifying and early race lead evaporated in the pit-stop when a wheel nut jammed. The Indians bar Hampsta Porsche 997 then had to stop a second time for a flat left front tyre, dropping Reynolds to eighth.
Auckland’s Courtney Letica finished fifth in the Altherm Porsche 997 having started 13th when he broke a rear suspension arm in the morning qualifying. Team principal Shane McKillen finished seventh in the VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 with Christchurch’s Paul Kelly ninth, driving the Paul Kelly Motors Porsche 997.
Concluding the summer race season; each of Sunday’s two races offer 75 points for the winner. The ten-lap race in the morning is followed mid-afternoon by the season ending 12 lap top-six reverse-grid. Baird needs to finish 21st or better to secure his sixth successive Porsche title.
Bamber wins Toyota race
Wanganui’s Earl Bamber has won the 15-lap Toyota Racing Series race at Taupo having started from pole in the Triple X Motorsport run VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40.
With a winning margin of 0.6 of a second, Bamber’s win eats in to the overall series lead held by Mitch Evans, cutting the deficit from 32 points to 26. Although Bamber led for the entire race, he said the strategy was to do what was required to stay in front and conserve the tyres for the remaining two races on the programme.
“What we are hunting is points, so the goal was the race win and save the tyres as much as we can because we’ve got three decent length races and one set of tyres,” said Bamber.
“With the V8’s and Porsches racing here the track has changed slightly since qualifying this morning and the car wasn’t as balanced as we’d setup. So we’ll look at the data and even though we won the race we can still make it better.”
New Plymouth’s Stefan Webling suffered in the second Triple X Motorsport car, bending the steering on the left-front tyre of the Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota. Having been a top-four pacesetter, the 21-year-old said he was unsure what bent one of the front arms that forced him to pit mid-race for the team to try realigning his wheel.
The final of five rounds on the 2010 calendar, tomorrow’s two races around the 3.5 kilometre circuit includes the 20-lap Denny Hulme memorial trophy feature in the morning, with a season concluding ten-lap sprint at 4:10pm.
Results: Toyota Racing Series race one – Taupo (15 laps)
1. E Bamber, Wanganui, Triple X Motorsport
2. M Evans, Auckland, +0.652s
3. S McNeill, Palmerston North, +9.502s
4. J McNee, Wellington, +10.921
5. A Waite, Auckland, +11.203
6. A Wootten, Auckland, +20.466
7. S Webling, New Plymouth, Triple X Motorsports, +1m03.604
With a winning margin of 0.6 of a second, Bamber’s win eats in to the overall series lead held by Mitch Evans, cutting the deficit from 32 points to 26. Although Bamber led for the entire race, he said the strategy was to do what was required to stay in front and conserve the tyres for the remaining two races on the programme.
“What we are hunting is points, so the goal was the race win and save the tyres as much as we can because we’ve got three decent length races and one set of tyres,” said Bamber.
“With the V8’s and Porsches racing here the track has changed slightly since qualifying this morning and the car wasn’t as balanced as we’d setup. So we’ll look at the data and even though we won the race we can still make it better.”
New Plymouth’s Stefan Webling suffered in the second Triple X Motorsport car, bending the steering on the left-front tyre of the Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota. Having been a top-four pacesetter, the 21-year-old said he was unsure what bent one of the front arms that forced him to pit mid-race for the team to try realigning his wheel.
The final of five rounds on the 2010 calendar, tomorrow’s two races around the 3.5 kilometre circuit includes the 20-lap Denny Hulme memorial trophy feature in the morning, with a season concluding ten-lap sprint at 4:10pm.
Results: Toyota Racing Series race one – Taupo (15 laps)
1. E Bamber, Wanganui, Triple X Motorsport
2. M Evans, Auckland, +0.652s
3. S McNeill, Palmerston North, +9.502s
4. J McNee, Wellington, +10.921
5. A Waite, Auckland, +11.203
6. A Wootten, Auckland, +20.466
7. S Webling, New Plymouth, Triple X Motorsports, +1m03.604
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Bamber close to championship dream
Having won the 2010 New Zealand Grand Prix in February, Triple X Motorsport driver Earl Bamber has been intently focused on securing the Toyota Racing Series title being contested at the Taupo finale this weekend 19 – 21 March.
Currently second overall after four of the five rounds, Bamber has an open mind at being able to overtake the current points leader Mitch Evans – who has shown bouts of inconsistency.
Racing the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota F40 wings and slicks car, one of two run by the Auckland based Triple X Motorsport, Bamber has steadily improved during the quick-fire three-month season.
“Our first goal of the weekend is to work on getting the car right in early practise to give us the best ever chance of getting pole position in qualifying. Then all we can really do is win all three races and see what happens from there,” said the 19-year-old.
Trailing by 34 points with 75 on offer for a race win, Bamber says his plan with the Triple X Motorsport team played out at Manfeild by winning the coveted New Zealand Grand Prix crown – something he aims to repeat this weekend.
“We’ve got a plan and a couple little bits we’re working on, then we should be right there.”
“I enjoy racing at Taupo; it offers up quite a few passing opportunities, although I haven’t raced there for two years to be honest.”
Similarly, New Plymouth apprentice mechanic Stefan Webling will also be looking for the short way round the 3.5 kilometre circuit, having only ever raced the venue in a Formula Ford. Sharing in the data and technical resources of the team, Webling has shadowed Bamber in his rookie season to hasten his initial learning curve.
Having shown front-pack pace, Webling’s Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota is intent on pulling together this season’s knowledge for a personal best at the weekend finale.
With two timed practise sessions on Friday, Saturday morning’s 20 minute qualifying session will decide the grid for the first two races. The Saturday afternoon race is over 15-laps, with the Denny Hulme Memorial race covering 20-laps on the Sunday morning, followed by a ten lap race late in the afternoon.
Currently second overall after four of the five rounds, Bamber has an open mind at being able to overtake the current points leader Mitch Evans – who has shown bouts of inconsistency.
Racing the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota F40 wings and slicks car, one of two run by the Auckland based Triple X Motorsport, Bamber has steadily improved during the quick-fire three-month season.
“Our first goal of the weekend is to work on getting the car right in early practise to give us the best ever chance of getting pole position in qualifying. Then all we can really do is win all three races and see what happens from there,” said the 19-year-old.
Trailing by 34 points with 75 on offer for a race win, Bamber says his plan with the Triple X Motorsport team played out at Manfeild by winning the coveted New Zealand Grand Prix crown – something he aims to repeat this weekend.
“We’ve got a plan and a couple little bits we’re working on, then we should be right there.”
“I enjoy racing at Taupo; it offers up quite a few passing opportunities, although I haven’t raced there for two years to be honest.”
Similarly, New Plymouth apprentice mechanic Stefan Webling will also be looking for the short way round the 3.5 kilometre circuit, having only ever raced the venue in a Formula Ford. Sharing in the data and technical resources of the team, Webling has shadowed Bamber in his rookie season to hasten his initial learning curve.
Having shown front-pack pace, Webling’s Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota is intent on pulling together this season’s knowledge for a personal best at the weekend finale.
With two timed practise sessions on Friday, Saturday morning’s 20 minute qualifying session will decide the grid for the first two races. The Saturday afternoon race is over 15-laps, with the Denny Hulme Memorial race covering 20-laps on the Sunday morning, followed by a ten lap race late in the afternoon.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Baird wrestles for championship
The climax to the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge arrives this weekend when Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird aims to secure the overall title at Taupo (19 – 21 March).
Leading since the six round season began in early November, Baird MNZM, in the ZM Mad Butcher Porsche 997 has a hefty 182 point lead, with the Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997 of Daniel Gaunt third, 186 points behind.
While the six-car Auckland based team are aiming for three of their cars to again secure the top three podium positions, Melbourne’s David Reynolds in the Indian’s bar Hampsta Porsche 997 is still an outside shot.
However, Baird cautions nothing is ever certain no matter how small or large your points advantage.
“Finishing the first race is critical,” said the Queensland based Kiwi of the Mad Butcher 100 kilometre enduro to be held on Saturday afternoon. “That 150 points is your turning point for not just the weekend but the season. If you’re not in the points on that one you’re just making up the numbers for the rest of the weekend.”
“It relies on more than just the team giving you the best car and setup that as a driver I can go out and do my job. The pit-stop has become a bit controversial with a sliding-scale approach to how they should be done and that has impacted on what we do as drivers.”
“Being the final round there is so much at stake for us all – it’s too late for rules to be made or changed – we’ve got a job to do and a show to put on.”
Fresh from testing the Triple X Motorsport Porsche 997 at Sepang ahead of the opening round of the 2010 Carrera Cup Asia series, Baird’s clasp on this year’s podium could see him move past his current tally of 23 New Zealand championships. Team principal Shane McKillen also had a test of the Carrera Cup car around the Malaysian circuit, placing mid-field as he readies to drive his VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 inside the top-ten for the season.
Another crisp from competition, 25-year-old Gaunt has just completed his third round in the 2010 V8 Supercar series. Returning to this weekend’s Porsche finale, Gaunt’s aim is to reverse the four point difference between him and second overall in the standings.
At 21 years of age, Auckland’s Courtney Letica’s championship chase plays second to his quest for outright placings aboard the Altherm Porsche 997. Having taken his first ever race win in the premier category at Timaru late January, Letica’s early season form has resulted in improved placings.
Joining the team to share technical expertise, Christchurch businessman Paul Kelly will also contest the final event for the season, having enjoyed running the Paul Kelly Motors Porsche 997 to its full potential.
While the drivers don’t get to test until 11:30am Friday morning, the team arrive early Thursday to setup for the finale. Following a second and 40 minute test session in the afternoon, drivers will take corporate guests for hot-lap rides late in the day around Taupo’s 3.5 kilometre circuit.
Evaluating car data and driver feedback, any car setup changes will be readied for a Saturday morning call to incorporate potential weather changes. Following the 11:25am qualifying session, fine-tuning for the 100 kilometre race gives the team until 5:20pm.
Sunday hosts a 10-lap race late in the morning, with the season ending 16-lap top-reverse-six grid race at 3:40pm.
Leading since the six round season began in early November, Baird MNZM, in the ZM Mad Butcher Porsche 997 has a hefty 182 point lead, with the Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997 of Daniel Gaunt third, 186 points behind.
While the six-car Auckland based team are aiming for three of their cars to again secure the top three podium positions, Melbourne’s David Reynolds in the Indian’s bar Hampsta Porsche 997 is still an outside shot.
However, Baird cautions nothing is ever certain no matter how small or large your points advantage.
“Finishing the first race is critical,” said the Queensland based Kiwi of the Mad Butcher 100 kilometre enduro to be held on Saturday afternoon. “That 150 points is your turning point for not just the weekend but the season. If you’re not in the points on that one you’re just making up the numbers for the rest of the weekend.”
“It relies on more than just the team giving you the best car and setup that as a driver I can go out and do my job. The pit-stop has become a bit controversial with a sliding-scale approach to how they should be done and that has impacted on what we do as drivers.”
“Being the final round there is so much at stake for us all – it’s too late for rules to be made or changed – we’ve got a job to do and a show to put on.”
Fresh from testing the Triple X Motorsport Porsche 997 at Sepang ahead of the opening round of the 2010 Carrera Cup Asia series, Baird’s clasp on this year’s podium could see him move past his current tally of 23 New Zealand championships. Team principal Shane McKillen also had a test of the Carrera Cup car around the Malaysian circuit, placing mid-field as he readies to drive his VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 inside the top-ten for the season.
Another crisp from competition, 25-year-old Gaunt has just completed his third round in the 2010 V8 Supercar series. Returning to this weekend’s Porsche finale, Gaunt’s aim is to reverse the four point difference between him and second overall in the standings.
At 21 years of age, Auckland’s Courtney Letica’s championship chase plays second to his quest for outright placings aboard the Altherm Porsche 997. Having taken his first ever race win in the premier category at Timaru late January, Letica’s early season form has resulted in improved placings.
Joining the team to share technical expertise, Christchurch businessman Paul Kelly will also contest the final event for the season, having enjoyed running the Paul Kelly Motors Porsche 997 to its full potential.
While the drivers don’t get to test until 11:30am Friday morning, the team arrive early Thursday to setup for the finale. Following a second and 40 minute test session in the afternoon, drivers will take corporate guests for hot-lap rides late in the day around Taupo’s 3.5 kilometre circuit.
Evaluating car data and driver feedback, any car setup changes will be readied for a Saturday morning call to incorporate potential weather changes. Following the 11:25am qualifying session, fine-tuning for the 100 kilometre race gives the team until 5:20pm.
Sunday hosts a 10-lap race late in the morning, with the season ending 16-lap top-reverse-six grid race at 3:40pm.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Gaunt wins Porsche race for Triple X
Muscling to the lead early in today’s final 16-lap top-six reverse grid Porsche GT3 Cup race at Manfeild allowed Auckland based V8 Supercar driver Daniel Gaunt his first victory with the Triple X Motorsport team.
The penultimate round in the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Gaunt stole the lead position bestowed upon team principal for the afternoon race, leading the field through the first turns and on to the chequered flag.
“I’m happy I held on there in the end – it was great to get back in the winner’s circle, but we’ve got a bit of work to do with our pace here at Manfeild,” cautioned Gaunt after the win.
“Jonny Reid has been driving well, so we had to get the better start and keep everyone behind us.”
Starting from pole position following a sixth place finish in this morning’s 12-lap scratch race, McKillen in the VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 was swamped by the 15-car field at the start. Gaunt in the Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997 was directly behind his boss, ducking to the side and taking the clean line.
Instead it was defending series champion Craig Baird in the ZM Mad Butcher Porsche 997 who got blockaded in the melee and had to sit behind the top-six pack.
Fighting for the round victory, Melbourne based David Reynolds was close to getting the Indians bar Hampsta Porsche 997 to a second successive win of the weekend in the morning race, but couldn’t keep Jonny Reid from again stealing his mantle in the third.
Bringing up the chasing pack, continued consistency by 21-year-old Courtney Letica driving the Altherm Porsche 997 saw him finish sixth in the final – one place ahead of team principal McKillen.
Christchurch car dealer Paul Kelly had an improved performance following the wet of Saturday’s race – finishing ninth.
Today’s round action has elevated Triple X Motorsport’s Daniel Gaunt to second overall in the points standings – 186 points behind his leading team-mate Craig Baird with three races to contest.
The final round action takes place in five weeks at the mid-North Island location of Taupo (19-21 March).
The penultimate round in the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Gaunt stole the lead position bestowed upon team principal for the afternoon race, leading the field through the first turns and on to the chequered flag.
“I’m happy I held on there in the end – it was great to get back in the winner’s circle, but we’ve got a bit of work to do with our pace here at Manfeild,” cautioned Gaunt after the win.
“Jonny Reid has been driving well, so we had to get the better start and keep everyone behind us.”
Starting from pole position following a sixth place finish in this morning’s 12-lap scratch race, McKillen in the VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 was swamped by the 15-car field at the start. Gaunt in the Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997 was directly behind his boss, ducking to the side and taking the clean line.
Instead it was defending series champion Craig Baird in the ZM Mad Butcher Porsche 997 who got blockaded in the melee and had to sit behind the top-six pack.
Fighting for the round victory, Melbourne based David Reynolds was close to getting the Indians bar Hampsta Porsche 997 to a second successive win of the weekend in the morning race, but couldn’t keep Jonny Reid from again stealing his mantle in the third.
Bringing up the chasing pack, continued consistency by 21-year-old Courtney Letica driving the Altherm Porsche 997 saw him finish sixth in the final – one place ahead of team principal McKillen.
Christchurch car dealer Paul Kelly had an improved performance following the wet of Saturday’s race – finishing ninth.
Today’s round action has elevated Triple X Motorsport’s Daniel Gaunt to second overall in the points standings – 186 points behind his leading team-mate Craig Baird with three races to contest.
The final round action takes place in five weeks at the mid-North Island location of Taupo (19-21 March).
Bamber wins New Zealand Grand Prix
Triple X Motorsport driver Earl Bamber has etched his name in eternal history by winning the first Grand Prix of 2010, held at the New Zealand location of Manfeild today.
The sweetest Valentine’s Day present for the 19-year-old, Wanganui based Bamber started the 35-lap race from the front row of the grid, taking the win by a half-second margin in the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40 car.
Following squally weather conditions in the Saturday build-up race that Bamber failed to finish, the all-important Grand Prix started under clear skies with a gentle breeze to subdue the summer heat. With the longest race of the weekend ahead, Bamber started well, but had to settle for second behind the younger rival Mitch Evans. With six laps to run a safety car incident bunched the field that allowed Bamber to pressure for the advantage at the re-start.
“Mitch (Evans) was really quick in the beginning and our car was set to get faster later in the race so I knew if I could stay close enough we should be able to take the lead. Once the safety car came out I knew we had the better pace so from the restart we had a good attack, a bit of contact, but we got a clean pass to get the job done,” said an elated Bamber as he collected his accolades.
“It’s a credit to the team – throughout the season they’ve done a great job and now we’ve got the best result by winning the Grand Prix.”
An event first run in 1950, previous winners include the likes of Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Kenny Smith, Chris Amon, and Craig Baird. And for the Triple X Motorsport team it was a double victory having won the trophy with driver Daniel Gaunt in 2009.
“It’s what you dream about winning,” added Bamber. “The Grand Prix is such a big prize internationally, so to be a Kiwi name alongside so many internationals is very special – especially having the Triple X Motorsport team win it back-to-back.”
New Plymouth apprentice mechanic Stefan Webling started his first ever Grand Prix, with the 21-year-old went from go to woe when he tangled early in the race to drop from podium contention. Then late in the race he pinched a tyre braking in to the sweeping final turn leading on to the front straight, getting stuck in the gravel trap that precedes the tyre safety wall. Extracted by rescue personnel, he pitted for a precautionary check before resuming in last place – the same position he held to the chequered flag.
Concluding the international segment of the five round Toyota Racing Series, Bamber has secured his second overall in the standings with one round remaining – to be contested late March near Taupo.
Results: 2010 New Zealand Grand Prix – Toyota Racing Series 35-laps Manfeild 14 February.
Pos car driver time
1 7 Earl Bamber 38min43.796
2 4 Mitchell Evans +0.512
3 20 Sten Pentus +1.207
4 47 Ritchie Stanaway +3.315
5 9 Daniel Jilesen +4.214
6 8 Jamie McNee +5.312
7 6 Sam MacNeill +5.378
8 48 Andrew Waite +6.888
9 69 Alistair Wootten +7.311
10 11 Ken Smith +10.450
11 41 Stefan Webling +2 Laps
The sweetest Valentine’s Day present for the 19-year-old, Wanganui based Bamber started the 35-lap race from the front row of the grid, taking the win by a half-second margin in the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40 car.
Following squally weather conditions in the Saturday build-up race that Bamber failed to finish, the all-important Grand Prix started under clear skies with a gentle breeze to subdue the summer heat. With the longest race of the weekend ahead, Bamber started well, but had to settle for second behind the younger rival Mitch Evans. With six laps to run a safety car incident bunched the field that allowed Bamber to pressure for the advantage at the re-start.
“Mitch (Evans) was really quick in the beginning and our car was set to get faster later in the race so I knew if I could stay close enough we should be able to take the lead. Once the safety car came out I knew we had the better pace so from the restart we had a good attack, a bit of contact, but we got a clean pass to get the job done,” said an elated Bamber as he collected his accolades.
“It’s a credit to the team – throughout the season they’ve done a great job and now we’ve got the best result by winning the Grand Prix.”
An event first run in 1950, previous winners include the likes of Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Kenny Smith, Chris Amon, and Craig Baird. And for the Triple X Motorsport team it was a double victory having won the trophy with driver Daniel Gaunt in 2009.
“It’s what you dream about winning,” added Bamber. “The Grand Prix is such a big prize internationally, so to be a Kiwi name alongside so many internationals is very special – especially having the Triple X Motorsport team win it back-to-back.”
New Plymouth apprentice mechanic Stefan Webling started his first ever Grand Prix, with the 21-year-old went from go to woe when he tangled early in the race to drop from podium contention. Then late in the race he pinched a tyre braking in to the sweeping final turn leading on to the front straight, getting stuck in the gravel trap that precedes the tyre safety wall. Extracted by rescue personnel, he pitted for a precautionary check before resuming in last place – the same position he held to the chequered flag.
Concluding the international segment of the five round Toyota Racing Series, Bamber has secured his second overall in the standings with one round remaining – to be contested late March near Taupo.
Results: 2010 New Zealand Grand Prix – Toyota Racing Series 35-laps Manfeild 14 February.
Pos car driver time
1 7 Earl Bamber 38min43.796
2 4 Mitchell Evans +0.512
3 20 Sten Pentus +1.207
4 47 Ritchie Stanaway +3.315
5 9 Daniel Jilesen +4.214
6 8 Jamie McNee +5.312
7 6 Sam MacNeill +5.378
8 48 Andrew Waite +6.888
9 69 Alistair Wootten +7.311
10 11 Ken Smith +10.450
11 41 Stefan Webling +2 Laps
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Reynolds wins Porsche race
Triple X Motorsport driver David Reynolds took a convincing win in this weekend’s first of three races at the series penultimate round of the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge being held at Manfeild.
Starting from the front row in steady rain, Reynolds in the #8 Hampsta Indians bar Porsche 997 got the better start for the 12-lap race around the 3.03 kilometre circuit – a lead he continually extended to the chequered flag.
“We got a good start, Matt Halliday got a bit of a jump, but I got the better drive and got in to turn one leading. So I put my head down; got a few good laps in early and saved my tyres – taking the win,” said Reynolds.
Although the 24-year-old Melbourne based driver had a distracting build-up to the race when the in-board air-jack in his car failed as the team were putting it on the ground.
“It collapsed just before the start of the race when it was being used to lower the car, so there was a bit of running around to get the car properly sorted – so a special thanks to the Triple X boys for that.”
While Reynolds was out front, a battle for third see-sawed between Matt Halliday and Triple X Motorsport team-mates Craig Baird and Daniel Gaunt. Baird in the #1 Mad Butcher ZM Porsche 997 took the initial advantage, before losing track position that let Gaunt in the #3 Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997 try for position. A skirmish involving Gaunt allowed Baird the position at the flag, with Courtney Letica in the #5 Altherm Porsche finishing behind in fourth.
Team principal Shane McKillen finished seventh in the #2 VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 with Christchurch car dealer Paul Kelly 12th in the #90 Paul Kelly Motor Company Porsche 997.
With today’s result extending Baird’s overall title lead to 146 points, Sunday’s races include two more 75 point scoring opportunities with the morning 12-lap race followed by an afternoon 16-lap reverse top-six grid finale.
Adding to the Triple X Motorsport victory count, Whangarei’s Scott Harrison drove the #5 Carpet One Suzuki to an emphatic maiden race win in the Suzuki Swift Cup series having set fastest time in the morning qualifying.
Toyota Racing Series drivers Earl Bamber and Stefan Webling started from second and third respectively on the grid for the 20-lap Dan Higgins memorial race, however neither finished despite both taking turns leading the field in the early stages.
Starting from the front row in steady rain, Reynolds in the #8 Hampsta Indians bar Porsche 997 got the better start for the 12-lap race around the 3.03 kilometre circuit – a lead he continually extended to the chequered flag.
“We got a good start, Matt Halliday got a bit of a jump, but I got the better drive and got in to turn one leading. So I put my head down; got a few good laps in early and saved my tyres – taking the win,” said Reynolds.
Although the 24-year-old Melbourne based driver had a distracting build-up to the race when the in-board air-jack in his car failed as the team were putting it on the ground.
“It collapsed just before the start of the race when it was being used to lower the car, so there was a bit of running around to get the car properly sorted – so a special thanks to the Triple X boys for that.”
While Reynolds was out front, a battle for third see-sawed between Matt Halliday and Triple X Motorsport team-mates Craig Baird and Daniel Gaunt. Baird in the #1 Mad Butcher ZM Porsche 997 took the initial advantage, before losing track position that let Gaunt in the #3 Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997 try for position. A skirmish involving Gaunt allowed Baird the position at the flag, with Courtney Letica in the #5 Altherm Porsche finishing behind in fourth.
Team principal Shane McKillen finished seventh in the #2 VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 with Christchurch car dealer Paul Kelly 12th in the #90 Paul Kelly Motor Company Porsche 997.
With today’s result extending Baird’s overall title lead to 146 points, Sunday’s races include two more 75 point scoring opportunities with the morning 12-lap race followed by an afternoon 16-lap reverse top-six grid finale.
Adding to the Triple X Motorsport victory count, Whangarei’s Scott Harrison drove the #5 Carpet One Suzuki to an emphatic maiden race win in the Suzuki Swift Cup series having set fastest time in the morning qualifying.
Toyota Racing Series drivers Earl Bamber and Stefan Webling started from second and third respectively on the grid for the 20-lap Dan Higgins memorial race, however neither finished despite both taking turns leading the field in the early stages.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Bamber moves to second in Toyota series
The weekend’s third round of the Toyota Racing Series has elevated Triple X Motorsport driver Earl Bamber to second overall after three races at the brand-new Hampton Downs race circuit.
Following on from his third placing in Saturday’s 15-lap race, Bamber driving the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher FT40 continued his points claim with a second in this morning’s pursuit.
In sweltering conditions at the venue adjacent to State Highway one, Bamber had to start from the third row in the afternoon 20-lap New Zealand Motor Cup race, behind championship rivals Sten Pentus (Estonia) and Mitch Evans (Auckland). Resigned to laying in wait for the front-runners to tangle, Bamber managed a fourth placed result at the chequered flag. The net points tied him for second in the weekend standings and similarly tied for second overall in the championship.
“We’ve made some good gains but we still don’t have the car pace so we’ve still got to keep improving as a team,” said Bamber.
“Realistically we’ve got to find three-to-four tenths of a second; we’re not far behind in a championship point-of-view but we need to be faster earlier in the weekend to be honest.” explained Bamber of the slower early weekend qualifying pace that decided the premier race grid.
New Plymouth’s Stefan Webling in the Horizon Energy Miles Toyota FT40 car finished sixth for the afternoon race, after a tangle in the morning that required a pit-stop to ensure the car was still aligned correctly.
“We’re fairly happy; although the car didn’t hook-up quite as well in the major race so we could have done even better I think, but to finish sixth, yes, we’re happy,” he said.
“We now head to Manfeild where I’ve done many many laps, so I think we’ve got a positive twist on where we’re at.”
Damage free, the Triple X Motorsport Toyota duo hand their cars back to the team mechanics who have to package the weekend operation for transport to Manfeild on the Monday morning. Upon arrival the crew have race-weekend preparations for the feature New Zealand Grand Prix next Sunday afternoon.
“It’s been a very good weekend for us as a team in the championship,” said Triple X Motorsport team manager Ian McNabb. “There was a lot at stake for both Earl and Stefan, so it’s great to see them both achieve at a new venue.”
Similar to this weekend’s race programme, three races spread over the Saturday and Sunday at the Manfeild venue will add to the championship chase – which will be the fourth and penultimate in the 2010 season.
2010 Toyota Racing Series - Championship points after round three (of five) – top eight
1 Mitch Evans Auckland 558
2= Earl Bamber (Triple X) Wanganui 533
2= Sten Pentus, Estonia 533
4 Lucas Foresti, Brazil 491
5 Andrew Waite, Auckland 463
6 Daniel Jileson, Taumaruni 405
7 Alastair Wootten, Auckland 356
8 Stefan Webling (Triple X) New Plymouth 352
Race results: New Zealand Motor Cup - Toyota Racing Series 20-lap race 1 Hampton Downs (top-six)
1 20 Sten Pentus 21:00.061
2 47 Ritchie Stanaway +2.151
3 28 Lucas Foresti +5.427
4 7 Earl Bamber +9.295
5 4 Mitch Evans +12.241
6 41 Stefan Webling +12.453
Following on from his third placing in Saturday’s 15-lap race, Bamber driving the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher FT40 continued his points claim with a second in this morning’s pursuit.
In sweltering conditions at the venue adjacent to State Highway one, Bamber had to start from the third row in the afternoon 20-lap New Zealand Motor Cup race, behind championship rivals Sten Pentus (Estonia) and Mitch Evans (Auckland). Resigned to laying in wait for the front-runners to tangle, Bamber managed a fourth placed result at the chequered flag. The net points tied him for second in the weekend standings and similarly tied for second overall in the championship.
“We’ve made some good gains but we still don’t have the car pace so we’ve still got to keep improving as a team,” said Bamber.
“Realistically we’ve got to find three-to-four tenths of a second; we’re not far behind in a championship point-of-view but we need to be faster earlier in the weekend to be honest.” explained Bamber of the slower early weekend qualifying pace that decided the premier race grid.
New Plymouth’s Stefan Webling in the Horizon Energy Miles Toyota FT40 car finished sixth for the afternoon race, after a tangle in the morning that required a pit-stop to ensure the car was still aligned correctly.
“We’re fairly happy; although the car didn’t hook-up quite as well in the major race so we could have done even better I think, but to finish sixth, yes, we’re happy,” he said.
“We now head to Manfeild where I’ve done many many laps, so I think we’ve got a positive twist on where we’re at.”
Damage free, the Triple X Motorsport Toyota duo hand their cars back to the team mechanics who have to package the weekend operation for transport to Manfeild on the Monday morning. Upon arrival the crew have race-weekend preparations for the feature New Zealand Grand Prix next Sunday afternoon.
“It’s been a very good weekend for us as a team in the championship,” said Triple X Motorsport team manager Ian McNabb. “There was a lot at stake for both Earl and Stefan, so it’s great to see them both achieve at a new venue.”
Similar to this weekend’s race programme, three races spread over the Saturday and Sunday at the Manfeild venue will add to the championship chase – which will be the fourth and penultimate in the 2010 season.
2010 Toyota Racing Series - Championship points after round three (of five) – top eight
1 Mitch Evans Auckland 558
2= Earl Bamber (Triple X) Wanganui 533
2= Sten Pentus, Estonia 533
4 Lucas Foresti, Brazil 491
5 Andrew Waite, Auckland 463
6 Daniel Jileson, Taumaruni 405
7 Alastair Wootten, Auckland 356
8 Stefan Webling (Triple X) New Plymouth 352
Race results: New Zealand Motor Cup - Toyota Racing Series 20-lap race 1 Hampton Downs (top-six)
1 20 Sten Pentus 21:00.061
2 47 Ritchie Stanaway +2.151
3 28 Lucas Foresti +5.427
4 7 Earl Bamber +9.295
5 4 Mitch Evans +12.241
6 41 Stefan Webling +12.453
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Bamber climbs on to Toyota podium
A mature drive in the summer heat of today’s 15-lap race at Hampton Downs saw 19-year-old Triple X Motorsport’s Earl Bamber drive the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40 to third place after starting from sixth.
The first race in the third round of the 2010 Toyota Racing Series held at the brand-new 2.8 kilometre circuit, Bamber leap-frogged Estonian Sten Pentus and fellow Kiwi Richie Stanaway mid-race to take break the procession. Claiming one spot following a red-flag re-started race in the opening lap, Bamber stayed with the front-running pack to seize the two-position opportunity when it came his way.
“You could tell Richie has got nothing to lose and Sten is racing for the championship,” described Bamber. “So there was a definite battle between them. Having a much better handling car than in qualifying we could keep pace and be ready to attack. So seeing them both make mistakes when they pushed each other wide at the hair-pin I capitalised – got ahead and started to pull away.”
“It was great to get third and finish in front of Sten, meaning we get more championship points against his previous lead.”
Managing to avoid the start-grid duelling, New Plymouth’s Stefan Webling got in behind Bamber at the re-start before some elbowing placed him mid-pack in seventh.
“The start was good,” said Webling, having started from ninth. “But our tyre pressure strategy didn’t work so made my progress feel backward. By the time the pressures got the tyres working it was too late to re-gain the places lost.”
As the starting order for Sunday’s opening 15-lap race, Bamber predicts the results will largely be dictated by the quality of the standing-launch. Followed by the weekend feature from 3:30pm, the 20-lap New Zealand Motor Cup race has been previously won by the likes of Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren.
“It’s also a real tribute to the guys that make up the Triple X Motorsport team,” added Bamber. “Their support and experience allowed by the opportunity to further improve my championship position: Ian – the team manager, the two Mark’s and Matt that work on my car – they’ve all been putting in a lot of hours.”
Championship points after today’s first race (round three Toyota Racing Series)
1. M Evans (Auckland) 449
2. S Pentus (Estonia) 428
3. E Bamber (Wanganui) 412
Race results: Toyota Racing Series 15-lap race 1 Hampton Downs (top-nine)
pos, car, name, time
1 4 Mitch Evans (Auckland) 25:11.568
2 28 Lucas Foresti (Brazil) +4.092
3 7 Earl Bamber (Wanganui, Triple X) +6.276
4 47 Ritchie Stanaway (Tauranga) +6.750
5 20 Sten Pentus (Estonia) +7.962
6 48 Andrew Waite (Auckland) +8.624
7 41 Stefan Webling (New Plymouth, Triple X) +10.847
8 69 Alastair Wootten (Auckland) +16.238
9 11 Ken Smith (Auckland) +24.708
The first race in the third round of the 2010 Toyota Racing Series held at the brand-new 2.8 kilometre circuit, Bamber leap-frogged Estonian Sten Pentus and fellow Kiwi Richie Stanaway mid-race to take break the procession. Claiming one spot following a red-flag re-started race in the opening lap, Bamber stayed with the front-running pack to seize the two-position opportunity when it came his way.
“You could tell Richie has got nothing to lose and Sten is racing for the championship,” described Bamber. “So there was a definite battle between them. Having a much better handling car than in qualifying we could keep pace and be ready to attack. So seeing them both make mistakes when they pushed each other wide at the hair-pin I capitalised – got ahead and started to pull away.”
“It was great to get third and finish in front of Sten, meaning we get more championship points against his previous lead.”
Managing to avoid the start-grid duelling, New Plymouth’s Stefan Webling got in behind Bamber at the re-start before some elbowing placed him mid-pack in seventh.
“The start was good,” said Webling, having started from ninth. “But our tyre pressure strategy didn’t work so made my progress feel backward. By the time the pressures got the tyres working it was too late to re-gain the places lost.”
As the starting order for Sunday’s opening 15-lap race, Bamber predicts the results will largely be dictated by the quality of the standing-launch. Followed by the weekend feature from 3:30pm, the 20-lap New Zealand Motor Cup race has been previously won by the likes of Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren.
“It’s also a real tribute to the guys that make up the Triple X Motorsport team,” added Bamber. “Their support and experience allowed by the opportunity to further improve my championship position: Ian – the team manager, the two Mark’s and Matt that work on my car – they’ve all been putting in a lot of hours.”
Championship points after today’s first race (round three Toyota Racing Series)
1. M Evans (Auckland) 449
2. S Pentus (Estonia) 428
3. E Bamber (Wanganui) 412
Race results: Toyota Racing Series 15-lap race 1 Hampton Downs (top-nine)
pos, car, name, time
1 4 Mitch Evans (Auckland) 25:11.568
2 28 Lucas Foresti (Brazil) +4.092
3 7 Earl Bamber (Wanganui, Triple X) +6.276
4 47 Ritchie Stanaway (Tauranga) +6.750
5 20 Sten Pentus (Estonia) +7.962
6 48 Andrew Waite (Auckland) +8.624
7 41 Stefan Webling (New Plymouth, Triple X) +10.847
8 69 Alastair Wootten (Auckland) +16.238
9 11 Ken Smith (Auckland) +24.708
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Triple X Bamber to lead attack on Motor Cup
Wanganui’s 19-year-old Earl Bamber will make a dash for the New Zealand Motor Cup at this weekend’s Toyota Racing Series event being held at the Hampton Downs circuit (6-7 February).
The third round of five in the 2010 series, the three-race programme is headlined by Sunday afternoon’s 20-lap race for the prestigious trophy, previously won by the likes of Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren.
Fresh from double victory at the previous round near Timaru, Bamber, in the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota F40 heads the Triple X Motorsport team that includes New Plymouth’s Stefan Webling driving the Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota car.
Having never raced at the brand new location situated mid-way between Hamilton and Auckland, the 2.8 kilometre circuit offers a new challenge for the pairing – having to learn their way round.
“Hopefully I will able to draw on my experience of learning many different circuits,” said Bamber ahead of the mid-season weekend. “We’ve got a top quality field – one that I think is the most competitive ever with the likes of Mitch Evans and Estonian Sten Pentus. So it’s going to be tough going, and equal playing field from that point-of-view. Plus I can draw on guys in the team to get us in front and build further on our race victories – because we still do have some pace to find in the dry.”
Bamber’s rapid return to form has him looking forward to driving the newly established facility, despite not having partaken in pre-season testing enjoyed by others in the field.
“The track is very wide and the thing I like, it has a lot of elevation change which is something we don’t see a lot of at New Zealand circuits. So I’m looking forward to driving it - as it will be similar to some of the European circuits I’ve raced; the up and down, blind turn-in and braking points. It will be gruelling but everyone will basically be starting with a blank sheet of paper.”
21-year-old Stefan Webling is similarly eager to measure his gains. Shadowing Bamber during his rookie season, Webling’s access to team data and engineering has elevated the apprentice mechanics championship aim. Running as high as third in his last race, he was the victim of a mid-field melee that pin-balled him from his position.
Starting with an hour testing Thursday afternoon, official practise begins on the Friday before the opening race grid positions are decided in Saturday morning’s qualifying session. With a 15-lap race Saturday afternoon and late Sunday morning, the afternoon 56 kilometre trophy race should take less than 21 minutes.
Currently in third place in the overall series standings, Bamber is 27 points adrift of leader Pentus, with 75 points for a race win.
The third round of five in the 2010 series, the three-race programme is headlined by Sunday afternoon’s 20-lap race for the prestigious trophy, previously won by the likes of Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren.
Fresh from double victory at the previous round near Timaru, Bamber, in the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota F40 heads the Triple X Motorsport team that includes New Plymouth’s Stefan Webling driving the Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota car.
Having never raced at the brand new location situated mid-way between Hamilton and Auckland, the 2.8 kilometre circuit offers a new challenge for the pairing – having to learn their way round.
“Hopefully I will able to draw on my experience of learning many different circuits,” said Bamber ahead of the mid-season weekend. “We’ve got a top quality field – one that I think is the most competitive ever with the likes of Mitch Evans and Estonian Sten Pentus. So it’s going to be tough going, and equal playing field from that point-of-view. Plus I can draw on guys in the team to get us in front and build further on our race victories – because we still do have some pace to find in the dry.”
Bamber’s rapid return to form has him looking forward to driving the newly established facility, despite not having partaken in pre-season testing enjoyed by others in the field.
“The track is very wide and the thing I like, it has a lot of elevation change which is something we don’t see a lot of at New Zealand circuits. So I’m looking forward to driving it - as it will be similar to some of the European circuits I’ve raced; the up and down, blind turn-in and braking points. It will be gruelling but everyone will basically be starting with a blank sheet of paper.”
21-year-old Stefan Webling is similarly eager to measure his gains. Shadowing Bamber during his rookie season, Webling’s access to team data and engineering has elevated the apprentice mechanics championship aim. Running as high as third in his last race, he was the victim of a mid-field melee that pin-balled him from his position.
Starting with an hour testing Thursday afternoon, official practise begins on the Friday before the opening race grid positions are decided in Saturday morning’s qualifying session. With a 15-lap race Saturday afternoon and late Sunday morning, the afternoon 56 kilometre trophy race should take less than 21 minutes.
Currently in third place in the overall series standings, Bamber is 27 points adrift of leader Pentus, with 75 points for a race win.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
New Zealand’s Triple X Motorsport to race in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
Auckland based Triple X Motorsport have today confirmed their entry in the world’s largest one-make race car category – contesting the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia with driver Craig Baird MNZM.
Supporting both the Shanghai and Singapore Formula One Grand Prix events, the 2010 championship covers six venues across four countries (China, Singapore, Korea and Malaysia) starting in April and concluding late October.
The first time the Asia series has allowed entry from private teams, the lure of prize money and an international television audience exceeding 76 million viewers primes the New Zealand team for success on debut.
“We want to win – we think we can,” said Triple X Motorsport team principal and prominent New Zealand businessman Shane McKillen. “Craig has won the Porsche series in Australia and New Zealand several times, Asia is very strong this year and I think maybe the strongest Carrera Cup series in the world. There are lots of European drivers; Christian Menzel, Danny Watts – guys who will be a good challenge for Craig and the Triple X Motorsport team.”
With a substantial lead in New Zealand’s Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Baird who has 23 New Zealand and two Australian championship titles, heads to Asia buoyed by his previous success in one-off races last year.
“There are plenty of good guys there at the top of their game: Christian Menzel that drives for the Alzen’s in Germany, Danny Watts, who was the British A1GP driver, Darryl O’Young who drives the GT2 class for the factory Porsche team so I’m really looking forward to it - it’ll be a competitive series. Plus it’s a refreshing change for me as well; I love racing in New Zealand and being involved in Triple X Motorsport, so to go to Asia with my own team is probably one of the most important things. It increases chances of achieving success - having that good group, I couldn’t wish for a better team,” said the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi, named in the 2010 New Year honours list.
While the series is based on identical specification Porsche 997-based 911 cars, the team will run the 2010 GT3 RS-based version backed by New Zealand produced VnC Cocktails.
“The VnC brand is very strong is Asia and I think it’s complimentary to motorsport and what we’re doing,” added McKillen. “Plus it also creates a development path for some of our young guys who can now get a chance to run in Asia and see what it’s like. Also there is an opportunity to bring some young Asian series drivers down to run New Zealand over the summer, give them a bit of testing and a few miles before they start their new championship.”
With Baird able to benefit from the summer championship race programme, he says driving one of the 24 new Porsche’s entered to the series will put everyone at the same level.
“It’s a new car – so no-one has any data on how to get the most from the car at each circuit – that makes it a good year to join the championship as it’s never going to be as even as it is now. I obviously have to learn some of the circuits – but we all have to learn the cars; it comes back to the cars more so than the driver I believe,” he added.
“The 2010 car has another 40 horsepower more and is about 150mm wider with larger tyres, so you’d expect to be 1-2 seconds quicker at most circuits – making it a very fast car. Although at the end of the day the car is still a rear-wheel-drive, rear-engined 911 race car like I’ve driven anywhere else.”
With each of the six venues running two races, the 12-round championship rewards a win with ten points plus one point for setting fastest time in qualifying.
Beginning mid-April at the Shanghai Formula One weekend, the team will partake in the official test weekend at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit mid-March.
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia calendar 2010
13 – 14 March Sepang Int. Circuit, Malaysia - PCCA Test Days
16 - 18 April Shanghai Int. Circuit, China - Formula One Support Race
21 – 23 May Beijing Goldenport Circuit, China - Porsche Weekend
18 - 20 June Zhuhai Int. Circuit, China - Pan Delta Super Racing Festival
27 – 29 August Jeonnam Int. Circuit, Korea - Asian Festival of Speed
24 – 26 Sept Marina Bay Circuit, Singapore - Formula One Support Race
22 – 24 Oct Guangdong Int. Circuit, China - Asian Festival of Speed
About Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia blasted off the starting grid in 2003 and has never looked back. Joining the family of hugely successful Porsche “one make” series, it has quickly become the premier sportscar series in the region, with a massive fan and media following.
The Carrera Cup Asia field of Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars offers extremely exciting racing across the whole Asian region and is truly international with competitors from all over Asia, as well as Europe. It represents a combination of experienced touring and race drivers in addition to ambitious and talented gentlemen drivers.
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia runs as part of the Asian Festival of Speed and is a supporting race to two rounds of the FIA Formula One World Championship – in Shanghai and in Singapore.
http://www.porsche.com/china/en/motorsportandevents/porschecarreracupasia/
Supporting both the Shanghai and Singapore Formula One Grand Prix events, the 2010 championship covers six venues across four countries (China, Singapore, Korea and Malaysia) starting in April and concluding late October.
The first time the Asia series has allowed entry from private teams, the lure of prize money and an international television audience exceeding 76 million viewers primes the New Zealand team for success on debut.
“We want to win – we think we can,” said Triple X Motorsport team principal and prominent New Zealand businessman Shane McKillen. “Craig has won the Porsche series in Australia and New Zealand several times, Asia is very strong this year and I think maybe the strongest Carrera Cup series in the world. There are lots of European drivers; Christian Menzel, Danny Watts – guys who will be a good challenge for Craig and the Triple X Motorsport team.”
With a substantial lead in New Zealand’s Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Baird who has 23 New Zealand and two Australian championship titles, heads to Asia buoyed by his previous success in one-off races last year.
“There are plenty of good guys there at the top of their game: Christian Menzel that drives for the Alzen’s in Germany, Danny Watts, who was the British A1GP driver, Darryl O’Young who drives the GT2 class for the factory Porsche team so I’m really looking forward to it - it’ll be a competitive series. Plus it’s a refreshing change for me as well; I love racing in New Zealand and being involved in Triple X Motorsport, so to go to Asia with my own team is probably one of the most important things. It increases chances of achieving success - having that good group, I couldn’t wish for a better team,” said the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi, named in the 2010 New Year honours list.
While the series is based on identical specification Porsche 997-based 911 cars, the team will run the 2010 GT3 RS-based version backed by New Zealand produced VnC Cocktails.
“The VnC brand is very strong is Asia and I think it’s complimentary to motorsport and what we’re doing,” added McKillen. “Plus it also creates a development path for some of our young guys who can now get a chance to run in Asia and see what it’s like. Also there is an opportunity to bring some young Asian series drivers down to run New Zealand over the summer, give them a bit of testing and a few miles before they start their new championship.”
With Baird able to benefit from the summer championship race programme, he says driving one of the 24 new Porsche’s entered to the series will put everyone at the same level.
“It’s a new car – so no-one has any data on how to get the most from the car at each circuit – that makes it a good year to join the championship as it’s never going to be as even as it is now. I obviously have to learn some of the circuits – but we all have to learn the cars; it comes back to the cars more so than the driver I believe,” he added.
“The 2010 car has another 40 horsepower more and is about 150mm wider with larger tyres, so you’d expect to be 1-2 seconds quicker at most circuits – making it a very fast car. Although at the end of the day the car is still a rear-wheel-drive, rear-engined 911 race car like I’ve driven anywhere else.”
With each of the six venues running two races, the 12-round championship rewards a win with ten points plus one point for setting fastest time in qualifying.
Beginning mid-April at the Shanghai Formula One weekend, the team will partake in the official test weekend at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit mid-March.
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia calendar 2010
13 – 14 March Sepang Int. Circuit, Malaysia - PCCA Test Days
16 - 18 April Shanghai Int. Circuit, China - Formula One Support Race
21 – 23 May Beijing Goldenport Circuit, China - Porsche Weekend
18 - 20 June Zhuhai Int. Circuit, China - Pan Delta Super Racing Festival
27 – 29 August Jeonnam Int. Circuit, Korea - Asian Festival of Speed
24 – 26 Sept Marina Bay Circuit, Singapore - Formula One Support Race
22 – 24 Oct Guangdong Int. Circuit, China - Asian Festival of Speed
About Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia blasted off the starting grid in 2003 and has never looked back. Joining the family of hugely successful Porsche “one make” series, it has quickly become the premier sportscar series in the region, with a massive fan and media following.
The Carrera Cup Asia field of Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars offers extremely exciting racing across the whole Asian region and is truly international with competitors from all over Asia, as well as Europe. It represents a combination of experienced touring and race drivers in addition to ambitious and talented gentlemen drivers.
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia runs as part of the Asian Festival of Speed and is a supporting race to two rounds of the FIA Formula One World Championship – in Shanghai and in Singapore.
http://www.porsche.com/china/en/motorsportandevents/porschecarreracupasia/
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