Reynolds returns to Porsche race series

Melbourne based V8 Supercar driver David Reynolds has confirmed his immediate return to Triple X Motorsport to contest the remaining five rounds of the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series.

Making a last-minute trip across the Tasman for this weekend’s second round of the championship at Ruapuna, near Christchurch, Reynolds will drive the car previously campaigned by Mad Butcher CEO Michael Morton.

Date clashes between the V8 Supercar and New Zealand based summer race series meant Reynolds couldn’t previously commit, however changes to his Australian programme allowed him to negotiate a weekend pass.

“My V8 Supercar entry is pretty uncertain at the moment; the team has known I wanted to do the New Zealand championship as well and with things up in the air believed I could try both,” said the 24-year-old as he completed seat adjustments to drive the #8 Hampsta/Indians Bar Porsche 997.

“I love the Triple X team, these Porsche cars and I have a really good time. It gives me something to do in the off season, January/February when everyone else is training and I’m out there racing. Plus it’s good to keep my mind sharp and keep focussed,” he added.

Having not raced a Porsche since finishing runner-up to Triple X Motorsport team-mate Craig Baird in last year’s championship, Reynolds says he has some catch-up to do: “I want to get used to my car this weekend. Last year I got bumped off by Craig here at Ruapuna, so I want to make amends to that – do a bit better job.”

With the Triple X Motorsport team currently first, second and third in the standings after the opening round, Reynolds says additional competition from former A1GP drivers Jonny Reid and Matt Halliday adds to his focus.

“I’ve never raced against either of them before in a Porsche. And though Craig won the first two races this season, I’ve beaten Craig previously.”

Expecting the fine warm weather to pass in the build-up to the weekend of race action at Ruapuna, Reynolds has two practise sessions today before qualifying for tomorrow’s Mad Butcher 100 kilometre race in the afternoon.

Sunday returns to the sprint format, with a ten-lap race late morning, followed by the afternoon top-six reverse grid 14-lap finale.

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Triple X Motorsport driver line-up:

Car number 1: Craig Baird (Mad Butcher/ ZM Porsche 997) – first overall 2008/2009 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
Car number 2: Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997)
Car number 3: Daniel Gaunt (Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997) – third overall 2008/2009 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
Car number 5: Courtney Letica (Altherm Porsche 997)
Car number 8: David Reynolds (Indians Bar/Hampsta Porsche 997)

Plus:
Car number 90: Paul Kelly (Paul Kelly Motor Company Porsche 997)

2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge – points (after round one of six) – top-ten.

Pos Name Hometown Total

1 Craig Baird, Queensland (Triple X) – 285
2 Daniel Gaunt, Auckland (Triple X) – 255
3 Courtney Letica, Auckland (Triple X) – 229
4 Jonny Reid, Auckland – 224
5 Anthony Pedersen, Rotorua – 197
6 Matt Halliday, USA – 195
7 Mitch Cunningham, Auckland – 159
8 Andrew Bagnall, Auckland – 159
9 Hugh Gardiner, Auckland – 133
10 Paul Kelly, Christchurch (Triple X) - 116

Weekend race programme for Porsche GT3 Cup cars – Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna Park, Hasketts Rd.

Friday 27 November

12:00 Porsche GT3 Cup - test session 1
15:45 Porsche GT3 Cup - test session 2

Saturday 28 November

12:05 20mins Porsche GT3 Cup – qualifying
17:30 Porsche GT3 Cup - Race 1 - 29laps

Sunday 29 November

11:40 Porsche GT3 Cup - Race 2 - 10laps
15:55 Porsche GT3 Cup- Race 3 - 14laps - Top 6 reverse