Baird narrows gap to V8 title

The weekend’s fifth round of V8 racing has seen defending champion Craig Baird in the United Video Racing Ford narrow his current second placed position to leader Angus Fogg after three races at Manfeild.

Returning to the North Island to conclude the seven-round series, after back-to-back weekend’s early in the year down south, Manfeild has a unique nature with its cambered corners.

Setting fastest time in the initial qualifying around the 3.03 kilometre circuit on the Saturday, Baird only managed fourth in the top-ten shoot-out. Basking in mid-summer weather, ambient temperatures in the 30 degree Celsius mark meant the cabin temperature in the #1 United Video Racing Ford Falcon rested in the 40’s during Sunday’s three races.

Starting from the outside on the run through the first turn in the morning race, he gained one position to pass John McIntyre and settle for third after the shortened 12-lap stint.

Starting from the same position for the second mid-afternoon race, Baird got swallowed by the pack on the run to the first turn, shuffled down the order and having to fight to get back. With points leader Angus Fogg placed behind, Baird looked for a clear spot to get on to the racing line, to scalp his way back to fifth at the chequered flag.

A back-marker for the late afternoon 22-lap reverse-grid race, Baird struggled from the outset, having to concede position to conserve the car’s integrity.

As cars slowly dropped from the race, Baird got to 14th by the chequered flag.

“We cooked the engine in the last race and had nothing. I was just searching for fresh air to keep it from boiling the whole race – when it gets too hot it just drops all its power,” said a sweat drenched Baird at the end of the race.

“The championship is closer now – so that’s the big picture I guess.”

Modestly despondent, Baird conceded the weekend’s success hinged on a strong result in the final race to further close in on the 836 points the series leader holds. Baird maintains his spot heading in to the series penultimate round, on 790 points the team rests for five weeks before three races around Taupo’s international category circuit.

The United Video Racing team would like to acknowledge the support from United Video, John Andrew Ford, TRN Radio Hauraki, LeasePlan, WD 40, Redline Signwriters, Marsh Motorsport, Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry, Performance Friction Brakes, Koni, Fusion, GER, Dunlop, PWR Eastern Automotive, VnC Cocktails and the Mad Butcher.