Podium for Baird in Shanghai

Kiwi Craig Baird has finished the first event on the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia third overall after two races supporting the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai in the weekend.

Driving a brand-new 2010 specification Porsche GT3 type 997, Baird faced tough opposition from 22 other teams also contesting the series.

The first time the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi has raced the 5.451 kilometre circuit in China, crucial setup changes did not work as calculated. Instead Baird could do little more than chase the time difference having qualified to start the first race from fourth position.

“We’re still trying to establish the setup window of these new cars – and while a wrong choice puts you on the back-foot, it’s the fastest way to learn a lesson,” said Baird.

Fourth in the first race and third in the second, the overall points currently award Baird third place in the title standings of the eleven round series.

“They’re solid points and while it’s not the result we’d expect, we’ve got a lot more to come from the car. It’s going to be a tough season and if it’s one thing Kiwi’s do well – is tough.”

Supported by New Zealand made brand VnC Cocktails, Baird also had two mechanics working with him from his championship winning Triple X Motorsport team.

“Looking for bigger gains we’ve learned some tough lessons, so as a team we’re a lot stronger – now we’ve got a month to turn that information in to better results,” he added.

Trailing series leading and defending champion Christian Menzel (Germany) who won both the weekend races, Baird also sits behind former champion Darryl O’Young (Hong Kong). Returning home in the interim, the team travel back to China in May for the second event on the calendar: the Beijing Goldenport circuit, 21-23 May.

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Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Championship – overall points (after two of 11 rounds) – top-five.

N.B. each race is classified a race round

1. C Menzel (GER), 41
2. D O’Young (HKG) 36
3. C Baird (NZL) 30
4. M Sun (SIN) 24
5. R Chong (SIN) 20

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.

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