Gaunt to race in Grand Prix

Triple X Motorsport driver Daniel Gaunt (Auckland) will drive in New Zealand’s 2009 Grand Prix race being held at Manfeild later this month (27 Feb – 1 March).

One of only two Grand Prix race events in the world that aren’t contested by the Formula One series, Gaunt’s entry returns the 23-year old driver to the open-wheel Toyota Racing Series he’s won twice before – in succession.

With his name on the Grand Prix title once before, Gaunt says the 100km race around the 3.03km Manfeild circuit on the outskirts of Manawatu’s Feilding township is a coveted title won by many of the world’s notable racing drivers:

“The Grand Prix is New Zealand’s most prestigious trophy – basically it’s the one everyone wants to win. It has the most history and one of the hardest races I’ve ever done before.”

Driving a Toyota Tatuus TT104ZZ, he will be supported by VnC Cocktails and the Mad Butcher, intent on winning the title for the team.

“It was a group decision; I’m really keen to give it a crack for Triple X Motorsport. Obviously we’ve had some success in that series before – it’s going to be tough doing both categories on the same weekend but we’ve got a bit of a plan to get around that,” described Gaunt, will also drive the Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997, currently holding third position in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series.

“I am grateful for the support of Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails) and Michael Morton as well (The Mad Butcher). Michael has been driving the whole idea and is keen to get the Grand Prix for the team.”

Under no illusions as to the challenge of getting fresh in to a car he hasn’t raced for over a season, Gaunt says past experience will be his key to success: “Most of the drivers have done 15-16 days in the Toyota over the last few months so they are going to be sharp. I’d like to think after practise on the Thursday and Friday we’ll be just as sharp. In a one-make series you’re never going to walk away with it but I’d like to think we’ll be on the money and have as good as shot as anyone at the Grand Prix.”

It will also be the second biofuel run Grand Prix event, with the car run on E85 blend ethanol following its introduction last season.

The race weekend format starts with two test sessions on the Friday (27 Feb) and a two-heat qualifying session on the Saturday morning before a top-ten shootout and 20 lap Dan Higgins Memorial Trophy race in the afternoon.

Sunday continues with a ten-lap race in the morning building up to a 4:50pm start to the 35-lap New Zealand Grand Prix.

Ends.

NEW ZEALAND GRAND PRIX WINNERS

OHAKEA CIRCUIT

1950 - John McMillan (NZ) - Jackson Special

ARDMORE CIRCUIT

1954 - Stan Jones (Aust) - Maybach Special
1955 - Prince B. Bira (Thailand) - Maserati
1956 - Stirling Moss (GB) - 250F Maserati
1957 - Reg Parnell (GB) - 3.5L Ferrari
1958 - Jack Brabham (Aust) - Cooper 2L
1959 - Stirling Moss (GB) - Cooper 2.5L
1960 - Jack Brabham (Aust) - Cooper 2.5L
1961 - Jack Brabham (Aust) - Cooper 2.5L
1962 - Stirling Moss (GB) - Cooper 2.5L

PUKEKOHE CIRCUIT

1963 - John Surtees (GB) - Lola 2.7L
1964 - Bruce McLaren (NZ) - Cooper 2.5L
1965 - Graham Hill (GB) - Brabham 2.5L
1966 - Graham Hill (GB) - BRM 2 L
1967 - Jackie Stewart (GB) - BRM 2.2L
1968 - Chris Amon (NZ) - Ferrari 2.4L
1969 - Chris Amon (NZ) - Ferrari 2.4L
1970 - Frank Matich (Aust) - McLaren M10A 5L
1971 - Niel Allen (Aust) - McLaren M10B 5L
1972 - Frank Gardner (Aust) - Lola T300 5L
1973 - John McCormack (Aust) - Elfin 5L

WIGRAM AIRFIELD

1974 - John McCormack (Aust) - Elfin 5L

PUKEKOHE CIRCUIT

1975 - Warwick Brown (Aust) - Lola TA332
1976 - Ken Smith (NZ) - Lola T332
1977 - Keke Rosberg (Finland) - Chevron B34
1978 - Keke Rosberg (Finland) - Chevron B34
1979 - Teo Fabi (Italy) - March 79
1980 - Steve Millen (NZ) - Ralt RT1
1981 - Dave McMillan (NZ) - Ralt RT1
1982 - Roberto Moreno (Brazil) - Ralt RT4
1983 - David Oxton (NZ) - Ralt RT4
1984 - Davy Jones (USA) - Ralt RT4
1985 - Ross Cheever (USA) - Ralt RT4
1986 - Ross Cheever (USA) - Ralt RT4
1987 - Davy Jones (USA) - Ralt RT4
1988 - Paul Radisich (NZ) - Ralt RT4
1989 - Dean Hall (USA) - Swift/Cosworth
1990 - Ken Smith (NZ) - Swift/Cosworth
1991 - Craig Baird (NZ) - Swift/Toyota

MANFEILD CIRCUIT

1992 - Craig Baird (NZ) - Reynard 92H
1993 - Craig Baird (NZ) - Reynard 92H
1994 - Greg Murphy (NZ) - Reynard 90D
1995 - Brady Kennett (NZ) - Reynard 91D

RUAPUNA PARK

1998 - Simon Wills (NZ) - Reynard 94D
1999 - Simon Wills (NZ) - Reynard 94D

PUKEKOHE CIRCUIT

2000 - Andy Booth (NZ) - Reynard 94D

TERETONGA PARK

2002 - Fabian Coulthard (NZ) - Van Diemen Stealth RF94
2003 - Jonathan Reid (NZ) - Van Diemen Stealth RF94
2004 - Ken Smith (NZ) - Van Diemen Evo2
2005 - Simon Gamble (NZ) - Spectrum 010
2006 - Hamad Al Fardan (Bahrain) - Toyota Tatuus TT104ZZ
2007 - Daniel Gaunt (NZ) - Toyota Tatuus TT104ZZ

MANFEILD CIRCUIT

2008 - Andy Knight (NZ) - Toyota Tatuus TT104ZZ