Baird second in Singapore
Monday 28 September 2009, 1:36PM
By Triple X Motorsport
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New Zealand Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird finished second in the weekend’s Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race weekend, finishing behind Germany’s Christian Menzel.
Baird, New Zealand’s current Porsche GT3 Cup Champion, contested the race weekend as part of an 18-car support category to the Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix.
Using the experience to again contest New Zealand’s summer-run series, the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi started the Singapore 12-lap race from the third row. Having never driven the 5.062 kilometre Marina Bay street circuit before, Baird had only one 20 minute test session before qualifying.
“Fifth in qualifying made it a tough start on what is a very technical track,” said Baird. “So to finish on the podium and behind Menzel who started from pole is a good achievement.”
Marked by a number of incidents during the race, Baird was able to steer clear of trouble to slip in to second, 2.995 seconds behind the leader at the chequered flag.
Having amassed 20 New Zealand championship titles, Baird returns to New Zealand to drive the #1 Triple X Porsche 997 at the season opening round 6-8 November at Pukekohe.