Baird fronts Triple X Porsche victory

 Triple X Motorsport have taken their second successive round victory of the 2008/09 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge with championship leading Kiwi Craig Baird heading a one-two-three team finish for the Christchurch weekend.

Held at the Powerbuilt Tools Raceway, Baird in the Barrons RV Taupo ZM car won his second race of the weekend this morning with another lights to flag victory in the ten-lapper. Again second, team-mate David Reynolds in the Placemakers – Karcher car could do little to reel in the championship leader and pace-setter.

With the top-six placings reversed for the afternoon 14-lap race, the fine warm conditions kept the playing field level around the 3.33km circuit. Daniel Gaunt in the Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group Porsche started from pole with team-mates Reynolds and Baird fifth and sixth respectively.

Continuing his trademark race start prowess, Baird powered from the line to be in second position early in the opening lap. He then began hounding the leader which resulted in a coming together entering the front straight – allowing Reynolds to sneak through.

“I had a real good start – and had a clean move going on for the lead – but that’s what you get when you’re in a reverse grid format racing against guys who run behind you. They complain about the damage but it’s their idea to have these sorts of races – certainly not mine,” said Baird immediately after the race – having set his third lap record in as many races.

Holding on for second, his two prior race wins assured his round win status – extending his overall championship leading margin.

Taking the final race win Reynolds elevated his championship position to second overall and second for the weekend: “It wasn’t too bad – got a good start from fifth position and made it through turn one – it was hectic for those first couple of laps. Tried to put a bit of pressure on Craig – made him put a bit of pressure on Jody Vincent [the leader], Jody squeezed him for room, came together so I just drove off.”

Rounding out the podium for the six-car team, Daniel Gaunt claimed third – fourth overall in the championship.

Rodney Forbes was forced to swap out his Hampsta – MPD Dairy Products car with a loan 997 for the Sunday racing, finishing eighth and fourth in the day’s races respectively.
Shane McKillen in the VnC Cocktails car took his best result of the season with a fifth in the final afternoon race after, while Courtney Letica in the Altherm car was forced to sit out the finale. A slow puncture resulted in him spinning and hitting an embankment in the morning race.

The team will return the six 997 Porsche Cup cars to their Auckland workshop, to prepare for the third round of six in the championship season – resuming in the New Year near Timaru.

Ends.

Results:
Hamsta 200 – round two (of six) Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup
Race 2 (ten laps) – top five
Craig Baird - Barrons RV Taupo - ZM 997 15mins36.253s
David Reynolds - Placemakers – Karcher 997 +2.160s
Jody Vincent 997 +2.325s
Daniel Gaunt - Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group 997 +4.324s
Ant Pedersen 997 +4.847s
Race 3 (14 laps) – top five
David Reynolds - Placemakers – Karcher 997 19mins44.493s
Craig Baird - Barrons RV Taupo - ZM 997 +4.233s
Jono Lester 997 +5.826s
Rodney Forbes Hampsta – MPD Dairy Products 997 +33.439s
Shane McKillen – VnC Cocktails 997 +40.790s

2008/09 Porsche GT3 Cup Championship points (after round two of six) - provisional
Craig Baird (Queensland) – Triple X Motorsport 511
David Reynolds (Melbourne) – Triple X Motorsport 414
Jono Lester (Auckland) – 384
Daniel Gaunt (Auckland) – Triple X Motorsport 368