Gaunt wins Porsche title for Triple X

A series of heart-stopping moments filled the weekend’s final round of the 2010/2011 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge before series leader Daniel Gaunt in the MPD VnC Cocktails Porsche 997 lifted the coveted title at Taupo today.

Playing out a long strategy to protect his series lead and ultimately lift the holy grail of championship trophies, Gaunt’s win came at the expense of defending champion and Triple X Motorsport team-mate Craig Baird in the ZM Mad Butcher Porsche 997.

Leading the series from the first round starting early November last year, the Triple X Motorsport driver said there were a series of anxious moments as a strategy was deployed to sling-shot to the crown for this afternoon’s 14-lap race. Barely able to speak with excited emotion, Gaunt systematically thanked his Auckland based crew – finishing the final race in places one to five.

“I almost gave myself a heart-attack between today’s races thinking of every possible outcome. At the end of the day it was focusing on the result, doing the best I could do and it worked. It was a gutsy call made by all. The Triple X team have never let me down; we all came up with a game-plan, to forfeit the morning race and series lead to Craig, to help our chances for the final,” said the 26-year-old New Zealand champion.

“We’ve all had our ups and down’s this year – and I have to say a big thank-you to Triple X, Michael Morton and Shane McKillen. They’ve helped me immensely; it could have been over before it began when I had the crash in practise at the first round.”

Finishing second in the final race after winning the previous two, defending champion Craig Baird could do little to reel in the race lead Gaunt had in the final – resigned to his championship position after a disastrous start to the season.

“I got boxed in at the start which let Daniel away with a lead I couldn’t catch,” said Baird of the final race. “He played an advantage with his points and tyre situation – making him unbeatable and the new title winner.”

“After being shuffled off during early rounds of the season we’ve come back from being 170 points down to five behind and second overall – that’s a win in its own right.”

Rookie Scott Harrison in the Mad Butcher Carpet One Porsche 997 finished third behind the championship leaders, having a long battle with team-mate Ant Pedersen in the VnC Cocktails Porsche 997 – finishing fourth.

Sixth, having started from pole position in the searing afternoon weather conditions, Auckland’s Hugh Gardiner had a long grind trying to make up time after earning a five-second jump-start penalty.

But it was Triple X Motorsport team manager Ian McNabb’s loss of words that sealed the success of the championship.

“I can’t speak. I never thought it would end up like this,” said McNabb. “I thought Dan started well and would hang on to it for a while. After a few mishaps I’m glad it’s all come together. He had a good idea this morning that he followed through on – executing the plan perfectly with our backing. We’re just so happy but also a little sad for Craig not to be able to take a seventh title in a row, it’s the end of an era and the start of a new one. It’s great satisfaction to bring home a champion – and a one-two with Craig. We support them all equally and it’s a special time when you can make something like that come true – especially in the face of the competition we’ve endured.”

"It's a special time for Dan's engineer Adam Fisher - and all the boys in the Triple X Motorsport team - they have always worked tirelessly and together - as a team."

Team director Michael Morton finished his race early in the Outlaws Bar Porsche 997 – to see how the battle between Gaunt and Baird would play out for the title.