Kiwi made product and driver head to China

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.

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Porsche Carrera Cup Asia calendar 2010
13 – 14 March Sepang Int. Circuit, Malaysia - PCCA Test Days
R1 and R2 16 - 18 April Shanghai Int. Circuit, China - Formula One Support Race
R3 and R4 21 – 23 May Beijing Goldenport Circuit, China - Porsche Weekend
R5 and R6 18 - 20 June Zhuhai Int. Circuit, China - Pan Delta Super Racing Festival
R7 and R8 27 – 29 August Jeonnam Int. Circuit, Korea - Asian Festival of Speed
R9 24 – 26 Sept Marina Bay Circuit, Singapore - Formula One Support Race
R10 and R11 22 – 24 Oct Guangdong Int. Circuit, China - Asian Festival of Speed

More about Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2010:

The season debut in support of the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix is the first of two race weekends in support the FIA Formula One World Championship.

Following the opening two rounds in Shanghai, the series will travel to the Chinese capital for two races at the Goldenport International Circuit as part of the exclusive Fascination Porsche weekend, before moving to Zhuhai in China’s southern Pearl River Delta Region for a further two races.

In August, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia is scheduled to make its debut on the brand new Korean International Circuit which will host the country’s maiden Formula 1 Grand Prix later in the year. Next, the series travels to Singapore’s Marina Bay street circuit for the 2010 Porsche SC Global Carrera Cup Asia – Singapore at the 2010 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix.

For the 2010 season finale, the series will return to Shanghai as part of the China Touring Car Championship fixture.

Supporting the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia are two of the most recognised names in international motorsport, Mobil1 and Michelin. Mobil and Porsche have been partners since 1996. Close co-operation in research and development has led to every new Porsche engine being filled with Mobil1 high-performance lubricant. Porsche Carrera Cup Asia drivers also have the advantage of racing on cutting-edge tyres supplied by series partner Michelin. The consistent performance and leading technology of Michelin tyres constantly improve the performance of many teams in international motorsport. The partnership between Michelin and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia has emerged from a worldwide agreement signed between Porsche AG and the Michelin group.