Triple X Motorsport

Porsche team eye fourth successive title

2010-11-04T10:45:00.001+13:00

Auckland’s Triple X Motorsport has the simple goal of a fourth New Zealand Porsche Cup Challenge title in as many years, as the 2010/2011 summer six-round season kicks off at Pukekohe this weekend (5-7 November 2010).

From the team’s inception in 2007 they have successively won the top title with Gold Coast based Kiwi Craig Baird MNZM, who returns for yet another season in the Mad Butcher ZM Porsche GT3 997.

“For sure, we’ve got one goal – the title,” said Baird, who wrapped up his 25th national championship crown at the end of last season.

“I know I’ve got good personnel, good sponsors, good everything from the top to bottom. I have no doubt every time I jump in that car the Triple X guys have given me 110%. I’ve got to keep continuing doing the same and give equal in return, and I guess that speaks for our 100% championship winning record.”

Along with defending champion Baird, Melbourne based Kiwi Daniel Gaunt starts his third season with the six-car team. Finishing third overall in last year’s championship, Gaunt says the goal is to push Baird and at worst finish behind him.

“Craig is the master so to be in the same team as him helps level my chances of competing more equally. And to be with Triple X Motorsport, I know we’re going to have the best chance of beating competition, working hard and playing harder,” said Gaunt.

Team principal Shane McKillen will again contest the series in the VnC Cocktails Porsche 997 with 22-year-old Scott Harrison from Whangarei switching from a Suzuki Swift to drive the Mad Butcher Porsche 997. Mad Butcher CEO Michael Morton will drive the Outlaws Bar Porsche 997 with Christchurch businessman and car dealer Paul Kelly in the number 99 Porsche 997.

Starting the season with a home weekend, the Auckland based team have a half-hour drive to the Pukekohe 2.8 kilometre race circuit. With two long straights and high-speed turns, Baird says it always provides a great atmosphere for spectators and makes drivers work that much harder if they want to be at the front.

“I’ve been reasonably strong there the past few years, but it’s not my favourite track and probably one where we’ve had our worst results at. There have been times I’ve come away struggling a little bit and sometimes it’s more luck as to how you hit the bump coming down the hill. Pukekohe isn’t the championship; we’re quick there; we’re one of only two drivers to be in the 56 second bracket and I want to try get back there,” said Baird.

The team get two test sessions on the Friday before hospitality guests get the chance to sit alongside for a hot-lap late in the day. Saturday starts with qualifying to decide the race one start order. With a 36-lap race starting at 5:10pm, the cars have to complete a compulsory pit-stop with the race winner collecting 75 points. Sunday morning features a 12-lap race with a top-six reverse grid 16-lap race starting at 3:15pm to conclude the opening round.

Later in the month the team relocate to Christchurch for the series second round, before returning in preparation for a two-in-two weekend jaunt in the southern South Island mid-late January 2011. The series returns to the North Island with a mid-February round at Manfeild near Palmerston North, concluding mid-March at Taupo for the championship decider.

Baird checks out of Porsche Asia series

2010-10-25T18:30:00.000+13:00

Heading the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) standings before this weekend’s double points race at the Shanghai International Circuit in China, New Zealand race driver Craig Baird had a nightmare run on wet tyres in what will be his final round of the series.

Calendared to be the final round of the 2010 championship, Baird struggled with grip from recycled tyres in the wet qualifying conditions. He trailed pace-setter and defending champion Christian Menzel (Germany) by 1.924 seconds. Tracking a shortened circuit of 4.603 kilometres, Baird and his Auckland based Triple X Motorsport crew had to settle for a starting position of fourth for the Saturday afternoon 11-lap race.

Again in wet weather, Baird fought conditions in the VnC Cocktails Porsche GT3 RS 997, ultimately dropping a position to finish fifth.

“We were out for a pasting,” said a dejected Baird. “And we got hosed.”

“It’s hard for all of us here, having been going so well and then be so far away.”

While stopping short of explaining the tyre and grip situation, the team managed different tyres for the Sunday finale. In drier conditions Baird snared two places early to finish third for the race. The net result drops the 40-year-old ex-pat Kiwi to second in the standings, from a four point lead to a nine point deficit.

Attempting to resolve the recent extension of the calendar season by organisers to move the final weekend to early November, Baird and his Triple X Motorsport team will instead concentrate on his New Zealand championships.

“We’ve done pretty well for a first season; it’s just a shame the Porsche spirit was lost and the calendar for the final weekend was suddenly changed without regard for other teams’, including our own.”

“Second was our best in the end – I just hope that doesn’t get taken away because we have to choose defending multiple championship titles in New Zealand the same weekend they decided to move the Asian final to.”

Porsche Asia interfere with FIA calendar – and deny Baird title shot

2010-10-14T07:47:00.001+13:00

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) management has come under fire for altering dates sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de L’Automobile (FIA) by the series leader Craig Baird and his New Zealand based Triple X Motorsport team.

Their rookie year in the illustrious manufacturer series has seen them fight off intense competition to hold a slender lead after what was calendared to be the penultimate event for the 2010 season. That position is now threatened by a late change to the series by sporting management that would scuttle the 40-year-old Kiwi’s chance of the title.

“In reality I have Hobson’s choice”, a disgruntled Baird revealed to the press today. “When we entered the series the dates were all set out and subsequently confirmed by the FIA. Nothing conflicted with what we were doing in New Zealand for 2010/2011. Now out of the blue and almost at the end of the series the organisers have gone outside the governing body’s approved calendar to slot in a new round.”

Baird has two championship titles to defend in New Zealand, with the 2010/2011 season starting the same weekend as the proposed Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race in China (5-7 November).

“Our team contracted to both series on the basis of there not being any date clashes,” he added.

Team Principal Shane McKillen of Triple X Motorsport says there appears to be little regard for rules in a series that has provided the team with fantastic competition in their inaugural international season.

“Quite simply they have opted to extend the season without regard to the International Sporting Code which governs the running of the series,” he said from his New Zealand base.

“Despite the team’s legal advisers taking this to the organisers, bigger interests seem to be involved in their decision.”

“Ultimately it is the Porsche brand that will be tarnished by their lack of authority to abide by a set calendar – which will effectively deny Baird a fair chance of competing for the title. We entered in good faith and for the chance to win – without breaking or infringing our own contracts.”

Having completed eight races out of the original 10 scheduled for 2010, Baird leads defending champion Christian Menzel (Germany) by a slender four points.

“To date this series has been fantastic in its competitive nature and has run on and been a supporter to Formula One events. However what international team or driver would ever contemplate running in this series in the future if the organisers can add rounds ad hoc to suit themselves and the outcome?”

“Hopefully a successful resolution will be obtained before the team is committed to sending its team to Shanghai for what should be the final round on the 22/23 October,” McKillen said.

Currently the team are in last minute discussions with the local ASN (National Sporting Authority) and the FIA to see whether they will intervene before the event is run as a championship round.

Bamber earns €200,000 in two weekends

2010-10-11T16:48:00.001+13:00

Young New Zealand race driver Earl Bamber (20, Wanganui) has struck major prize money twice in as many weekends, driving the Chinese rounds of the illustrious Superleague Formula (SF) global racing series.

Winner of the 2010 New Zealand Grand Prix with Auckland’s Triple X Motorsport (VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40), Bamber has now secured double victory piloting a V12 powered 750 horsepower wings-and-slicks car. Treacherous conditions around the street-circuit in Beijing’s Shunyi district over the weekend saw Bamber excel to win his second cheque for €100,000 in as many weekends.

Originally drafted by the 12-round series as a television commentator, the 20-year-old was offered a last minute opportunity to drive for the FC Porto team when their original driver was unable to obtain a visa to enter the country,
Following a thrilling battle in the six-car, five-lap, dash-for-cash weekend-ending race at Ordos International Circuit that netted him his first €100,000, Bamber was offered to then drive for the PSV Eindhoven for the Beijing weekend.

Bamber’s switch netted the same overall winning result, where he again out-classed the regular European based competition on a circuit he’d never seen before and in diabolical conditions.
“It was a tighter version of the Hamilton street circuit,” described Bamber of the track. “Except we were doing 250km/h through the chicane.”

Qualifying for the two Sunday races went against Bamber, when car handling issues and a strategic plan failed: “I had a plan of heading out late in the session, but was struggling with the brakes.”

Just as Bamber was about to set out, the session was ended when one of the cars crashed, leaving him 18th on the time sheets and having to start from the back of the grid for the opening race on Sunday.

Finishing an incredible sixth, he started from ninth in the afternoon race, working through to second before the race was stopped to clear the track where the race leader went off.
Expecting to start from pole at the re-start, Bamber had to settle for second when the previous leader was reinstated. Following him for the remaining five minutes, Bamber didn’t quite get past in the run to the chequered flag.

With the Super Final five-lap dash-for-cash cancelled due to deteriorating track and weather conditions, Bamber’s points tally left him atop the prize winners podium.

“I can’t believe it. We started last on the grid for race one so I never thought we’d be leaving with a cheque for €100,000! It was so dark when they restarted the race that I couldn’t even see the buttons on my steering wheel! I just followed Álvaro (Parente) and watched his rear light to see what line he was taking. Maybe China is lucky for me. I certainly can’t complain about €200,000 in two weekends!”

Having only contested two of the 12 rounds, Bamber is placed seventh on the winners table and has pledged his earnings to the respective race teams. The winning trophies are to be added to the Triple X Motorsport collection where Bamber has his New Zealand Grand Prix trophy stored.

SF Round 11 China- Race 1 results
Location: Beijing
Date: 10th October 2010
Race 1 - SF Round 11 China – Classification – top ten.

Pos Car # Club Driver Time/Gap
1, 19, Tottenham Hotspur, Craig Dolby, 40:05.209
2, 33, Girondins de Bordeaux, Franck Perera, 3.047
3, 1, Liverpool, Frédéric Vervisch, 4.891
4, 69, Olympique Lyonnais, Tristan Gommendy, 11.747
5, 2, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Adrián Vallés, 13.932
6, 5, PSV Eindhoven, Earl Bamber, 16.099
7, 3, AC Milan, Yelmer Buurman, 16.714
8, 22, AS Roma, Julien Jousse, 19.397
9, 9, Olympiacos, Ben Hanley, 46.750s
10, 88, Team China, Ma Qing Hua, 14 laps

SF Round 11 China- Race 2 results
Location: Beijing
Date: 10th October 2010
Race 2 - SF Round 11 China – Classification – top ten.

Pos Car # Club Driver Time/Gap
1, 16, FC Porto Álvaro Parente, 49:18.621
2, 5, PSV Eindhoven, Earl Bamber, 0.844
3, 3, AC Milan, Yelmer Buurman, 2.633
4, 18, Sevilla FC, Marcos Martínez, 2.696
5, 15, Atlético de Madrid, Paul Meijer, 9.353
6, 24, Beijing Guoan FC, John Martin, 31.651
7, 1, Liverpool Frédéric Vervisch, 1 lap
8, 19, Tottenham Hotspur, Craig Dolby, 1 lap
9, 2, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Adrián Vallés, 1 lap
10, 33, Girondins de Bordeaux, Franck Perera, 1 lap

Baird scoops international Porsche series lead

2010-10-07T13:20:00.000+13:00

Leading New Zealand race car driver Craig Baird is still in awe after taking the series lead in the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) at what was initially the penultimate round in Singapore two weeks ago.

Winning two from two races on the streets of Marina Bay as a support class to the Formula One race, Baird’s table topping position has the 40-year-old Gold Coast based Kiwi elated at the team’s performance in its first year offshore.

Driving the #32 VnC Cocktails Porsche 997, the car was decked out in SC Global livery in a one-round deal with the Singapore corporate that saw Baird take his first ever win in the Asian series.

“We’ve got a recipe that’s worked for many years and relies on key individuals like Triple X Motorsport’s Todd and Ian plus Shane from VnC Cocktails. We all know what each other is thinking – so things get done and it makes life easier at being championship leaders,” said Baird, who has a four-point lead in a field of 29 international drivers.

The team’s first season in the Asian championship, Baird says the learning curve that sees them at the front doesn’t truly illustrate how tough the series is.

“You’ve got to remember we’re against the likes of defending champion Christian Menzel (Germany), who’s racing Porsche’s every weekend somewhere in Europe. His engineer is involved in the Porsche Supercup series and together they have done a lot of testing with the car and tyre combination used in the Asia championship.”

“Menzel finished fourth in his first year – where we’ve been second most of the season and now taken the series lead - putting it in to perspective.”
“We have to work smarter at beating their working harder – particularly at learning the brand new car and race circuits I’ve never seen before. As team we’ve moved forward – and will keep doing what we’re doing; especially now we’ve really started to take it to them.”

With the Singapore event the only circuit on the series Baird has contested before, he says it made a big difference to his chances given the unknown state of the car following significant damage repairs since he last drove it.

“It was a massive advantage having raced at the Singapore street circuit before – but that’s what the rest of the field is used to, whereas we’re still learning our way.”

Attention now turns to the addition of another round to the 2010 calendar – pushing the final date out to clash with the start of New Zealand’s summer series. Initially with one event left to contest for the season, Baird says there is a real dilemma ahead: “We have to weigh up trying to secure the PCCA title or focus more on the un-broken title streak in New Zealand – which is complicated by our backers being New Zealand businesses.

In-between, Baird’s next event is the Asian Festival of Speed at the Guangdong International circuit in China, 22 – 24 October.

2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia championship points (after round 8 of 10) – top five

1, Craig Baird, NZL, 120
2, Christian Menzel, GER, 116
3, Marchy Lee, HKG, 106
4, Mok Weng Sun, SIN, 96
5, Rodolfo Avila, MAC, 79

PCCA round 7 results - top ten
1, Craig BAIRD (NZL), SC Global Racing (SIN), 29:12.272
2, Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG), LKM Racing (HKG), +0.347
3, Marchy LEE (HKG), Red Bull Racing (HKG), +14.758
4, Rodolfo AVILA (MAC), Team Jebsen (HKG), +29.288
5, MOK Weng Sun (SIN), Team PCS Racing (SIN), +46.602
6, Ringo CHONG (SIN), Team Kangshun (CHN), +46.983
7, Philip MA (HKG), Jacob & Co Racing (HKG), +1:31.427
8, Jean Marc MERLIN (FRA), Team J2M Racing (FRA), +1:38.769
9, Wayne SHEN (HKG), Modena Motorsports (HKG), +1.46.963
10, Jeffrey LEE (TPE), Team Pauian Archiland (TPE), +1:48.150

PCCA round 8 results - top ten
1, Craig BAIRD (NZL),SC Global Racing (SIN), 28:49.024
2, Marchy LEE (HKG),Red Bull Racing (HKG), +2.251
3, Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG),LKM Racing (HKG), +3.114
4, Christian MENZEL (GER), Team StarChase (CHN), +11.078
5, Rodolfo AVILA (MAC), Team Jebsen (HKG), +21.138
6, MOK Weng Sun (SIN), Team PCS Racing (SIN), +53.741
7, Ringo CHONG (SIN), Team Kangshun (CHN), +56.339
8, Jeffrey LEE (TPE), Team Pauian Archiland (TPE), +58.901
9, Francis TJIA (HKG), OpenRoad Racing (HKG), +60.456
10, Philip MA (HKG), Jacob & Co Racing (HKG), +61.854

Baird leads Asian Porsche series

2010-09-27T09:07:00.000+13:00

New Zealand’s most successful race car driver, Craig Baird MNZM, has further extended his victory tally with two wins on the streets of Singapore in the weekend, leap-frogging to the head of the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) series standings.

Driving the SC Global backed Porsche 997 at the SC Global sponsored event, Baird’s results came after a concerted effort by Porsche repair agents and his Kiwi crew provided the 40-year-old with a perfectly handling car for the Formula One support race weekend. The penultimate event on the 2010 calendar, Baird’s two wins moved him from an 18 point deficit to a six point lead in his maiden chase for the Asian title.

“The car was mega – as soon as I got behind the wheel it was ready to go. It’s testament to how hard the Porsche and Triple X boys worked, going over it front-to-back with a fine tooth comb and getting a balanced handling car ready,” said Baird after the Singapore double-victory.
Starting second on the grid in the opening race behind defending champion and previous series leader Christian Menzel (Germany), Baird seized upon a tyre selection gamble. Opting for a dry tyre following a Singapore rainstorm, the hot and humid conditions allowed Baird to claim his first ever victory on the Asian calendar.

In the pre-cursor race to the SC Global Singapore Grand Prix, Baird’s second race of the weekend proved the benefit of starting from pole position in the Asian series: “The staggered off-set of the grid makes it so much easier when you’re at the front. From there it was a start-to-finish run for me. Darryl O’Young challenged for a while, he was passed by Marchy Lee, and then he challenged for a while. I could see he was driving quite aggressively and thought he’d burn his tyres even more trying to have a go getting past. So I stuck to the game plan and it worked.”

With doubts as to how the car would handle after chassis damage at the previous PCCA round that was followed by a transit accident, Baird paid tribute to the work put in to supply a car that handled the same prior to the damage.

“Obviously we’re learning more and more about the car all the time, and the Michelin tyre. We’ve finally figured out the combination that works and works for my driving style. And without the work from everyone involved, the team wouldn’t have been able to deliver me the car we could move forward with rather than re-learn.”
With four weeks until the final event on the 2010 calendar, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia returns to China next month for two race rounds at the Shanghai International Circuit on October 22-24.

2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia championship points (after round 8 of 10) – top four
1, Craig Baird, NZL, 121
2, Christian Menzel, GER, 115
3, Mok Weng Sun, SIN, 96
4, Marchy Lee, HKG, 61

PCCA round 7 results - top ten
1, Craig BAIRD (NZL), SC Global Racing (SIN), 29:12.272
2, Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG), LKM Racing (HKG), +0.347
3, Marchy LEE (HKG), Red Bull Racing (HKG), +14.758
4, Rodolfo AVILA (MAC), Team Jebsen (HKG), +29.288
5, MOK Weng Sun (SIN), Team PCS Racing (SIN), +46.602
6, Ringo CHONG (SIN), Team Kangshun (CHN), +46.983
7, Philip MA (HKG), Jacob & Co Racing (HKG), +1:31.427
8, Jean Marc MERLIN (FRA), Team J2M Racing (FRA), +1:38.769
9, Wayne SHEN (HKG), Modena Motorsports (HKG), +1.46.963
10, Jeffrey LEE (TPE), Team Pauian Archiland (TPE), +1:48.150

PCCA round 8 results - top ten
1, Craig BAIRD (NZL),SC Global Racing (SIN), 28:49.024
2, Marchy LEE (HKG),Red Bull Racing (HKG), +2.251
3, Darryl O’YOUNG (HKG),LKM Racing (HKG), +3.114
4, Christian MENZEL (GER), Team StarChase (CHN), +11.078
5, Rodolfo AVILA (MAC), Team Jebsen (HKG), +21.138
6, MOK Weng Sun (SIN), Team PCS Racing (SIN), +53.741
7, Ringo CHONG (SIN), Team Kangshun (CHN), +56.339
8, Jeffrey LEE (TPE), Team Pauian Archiland (TPE), +58.901
9, Francis TJIA (HKG), OpenRoad Racing (HKG), +60.456
10, Philip MA (HKG), Jacob & Co Racing (HKG), +61.854

Baird in a race against time

2010-09-21T13:13:00.000+12:00

Leading New Zealand race driver Craig Baird returns to Singapore unsure how the VnC Cocktails - SC Global Porsche 911 will perform at this weekend's Formula One SingTel Grand Prix following transit damage to the championship contender's car.

There to contest the penultimate round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia(PCCA) on the street course used during the night Formula One race, Baird says his championship aspirations rest largely with his Triple X team being able to get the car ready for action.

His car initially suffered significant chassis damage in the first race of the previous round held at Zhuhai (China), in June. Sent to a Porsche repair centre in China, it was returned to factory condition ready for the journey to Singapore. En-route to Beijing, ahead of its sea journey, Baird’s containered car sustained further and fresh damage during a truck accident that resulted in fatal injuries for its driver. Damage assessments are inconclusive, with the shipping of the car a first priority.

Circumstances now require Baird and his Triple X Motorsport team to alter their travel arrangements and head to Singapore earlier than initially allowed. Aside from cosmetic damage, the team need to assess the car’s race condition by measuring its datum points for alignment.
“We need to get it as close as possible if we're to use any of the data gained so far this season,” said Baird of his situation. “Otherwise we're starting from scratch; it's just so unknown at this stage, we're relying on so many others outside the team's control.”

Currently second in the 2010 PCCA championship standings with two events left to contest, the 40-year-old Kiwi currently trails the defending title holder Christian Menzel from Germany by 18 points.

Against a stellar line-up this weekend that includes former champion, Darryl O'Young from Hong Kong, Marchy Lee and Rodolfo Avila are also rated as some of the better racers in the Asia-Pacific region. Although Baird does have the benefit of past form: it's the only event on the six scheduled for 2010 the ex-pat Kiwi has contested before.

Finishing second overall in 2009 to Menzel on the Singapore streets, Baird says the night atmosphere is a great one for drivers.

“The atmosphere surrounding the event is a good distraction for young bucks; cool hands are rewarded. So it's the best opportunity of the year to put the VnC Cocktails - SC Global car at the front given the result from last year, if the dice rolls our way.”

Following the scratching of the Korean round scheduled for August, Singapore now becomes the fifth event Baird and his New Zealand team contest for their inaugural 2010 Asian title chase.

With only one 30-minute practice late on Friday around the 5.073 kilometre circuit set in Marina Bay, Baird head's in to qualifying at 3.30pm on Saturday with the first 12-lap race run just 90 minutes later. The second and final race of the weekend is just prior to the start of Sunday's Formula One night Grand Prix.

Second best for Baird in China

2010-06-22T14:35:00.000+12:00

New Zealand’s Craig Baird remains upbeat at still holding second overall in the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia series despite being taken out of the weekend’s first race at Zhuhai International Circuit in China.

The two-race weekend in China’s Pearl River Delta region covered rounds five and six of 11 on the 2010 calendar. With Baird having been fastest in early qualifying, his run of bad luck began with being baulked on his last flying lap despite having set fastest sector times.

Relegated to third for the opening 12-lap race the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi was gridded behind Team Jebsen’s Rodolfo Avila and Red Bull Racing’s Marchy Lee, but ahead of series leader Christian Menzel. Getting a better start than his rivals, he’d moved to second by the second lap. That dropped pole sitter Rodolfo Avila to fourth, when the Macau racer made a dive-bomb move on Baird and Menzel. Out-braking himself, he drilled in to the right-side of the Baird VnC Cocktails Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car and then Menzel, to force all three in to the retirement of the gravel trap.

Surprised at the move, Baird said it was the bigger picture that mattered.

“Having Menzel alongside as a retiree meant the championship was still alive,” he said.
“I’ve had to moderate my thoughts on what happened; we’re here for the title – so have to take each race as it comes.”

Starting from the back of the grid for the second 12-lap race with championship leading rival Menzel, it was a case of collecting as many points as possible. Void of the earlier race antics, Baird finished fourth overall, one behind Menzel.

“It was the best of a bad situation - the Triple X Motorsport guys worked tirelessly in the two-hour timeframe between the races to get the car ready after the accident. The impact was so severe there is quite a shift in the chassis. So while they got the wheels straight, they didn’t have time to try getting it balanced and setup as they’d have liked. It was a great result to only lose two points on Menzel’s lead following the afternoon race.”

“And it was hot – humid – every bit of uncomfortable you could imagine. The cool suit and helmet blower got a great test.”

At the calendar half-way mark, Baird is second overall in his first full season of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia series, 18 points behind defending champion Christian Menzel (GER).
With a two-month break until the seventh and eighth rounds for the 2010 title, Baird and his Auckland based crew will again have a new venue to learn – the Korean International Circuit, based in Yeongam County, South Korea (27 – 29 August).

Race two (round six) results – top ten.
Pos, Driver, Country, Team, Time
1, Marchy LEE, HKG, Red Bull Racing 20:04.536
2, Keita SAWA , JPN, LKM Racing +2.252
3, Christian MENZEL , GER, Team StarChase +3.049
4, Craig BAIRD, NZL, Team PCS Racing +15.259
5, Rodolfo AVILA, MAC, Team Jebsen +15.465
6, MOK Weng Sun, SIN, Team PCS Racing +18.693
7, Jeffrey LEE, TPE, Team Pauian Archiland +24.249
8, Wayne SHEN, HKG, Modena Motorsports +25.994
9, Philip MA, HKG, Jacob & Co Racing +27.313
10, Francis TJIA, HKG, OpenRoad Racing +27.890

2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia – points after six (of 11) rounds – top five.
1, Christian MENZEL , GER, 98
2, Craig BAIRD, NZL, 80
3, MOK Weng Sun, SIN, 74
4, Marchy LEE, HKG, 74
5, Keita SAWA , JPN, 55

Third time lucky for Baird in China

2010-06-14T14:30:00.000+12:00

For the third time in as many months Kiwi Craig Baird heads to China for another learning weekend as the under-dog in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race series against a German defending champion.

Currently second after two race events totalling four rounds, the 39-year-old Baird and his VnC Cocktails Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car again head to a venue new to the New Zealand based team. Rounds five and six (of 11) are being contested at the 4.3 kilometre Zhuhai International Circuit in China’s Pearl River Delta region this weekend (18 – 20 June).

“It’ll be about hitting the setup from the get go,” says Baird of the plan to win races and close in on the 16-point championship lead. “We need to be ahead of the pace and Christian Menzel (the series leader). Getting pole position is goal number one. Once we’ve done that the racing becomes a lot simpler and it’s really the start and tyre strategy that become variables.”
“We’ve got a good handle on the setup and are now just fine-tuning our plan on how the Michelin tyre works in these hotter climates.”

“At Beijing we had the car working better early in the race, but didn’t have enough toward the end when Menzel was making mistakes from the pressure I was applying once I’d made up the start-grid gap difference.”

With the additional reward of a championship point for setting fastest time in qualifying, Baird says the start grid illustrates the difference between first and the rest.

“The starting position between the cars is a diagonal and car length behind, so starting anywhere but on pole is a huge backward step. Even with a mega start you’re not going to make up that gap by the first turn – you need to start from the front if you’re going to do anything but win.”

“Qualifying at Beijing showed how we could influence the opposition. With three sets of new tyres available for the weekend we had Menzel’s team sitting in the pits having used two sets already in setting fastest time. They were ready to run their last set just to keep us from starting ahead of them. So we know we’re all but caught up to a defending champion who’s prepared to try anything.

The weekend’s Pan Delta Super Racing Festival will feature a 12-lap Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race on Saturday and Sunday, following an intense 30-minute qualifying shootout on the Friday. Part of the record 23-strong field, Baird says the identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars have made his job a lot more rewarding.

“We’re right out of our comfort zone. With different cultures, new venues and the extremes of temperature and humidity it’s a whole lot tougher than anything else you could do.”

The Queensland based Kiwi is joined by Triple X Motorsport’s Todd Bickerton and Ian McNabb who prepare and run the New Zealand funded VnC Cocktails Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.

Second for Baird in China

2010-05-24T09:12:00.000+12:00

Kiwi Craig Baird MNZM has moved to second overall in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia standings, following a pair of second placings in the VnC Cocktails Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car at Bejing’s Goldenport International Circuit on Sunday.

Climbing another step toward the top of the series podium, Baird’s result was again at a circuit he’d never previously driven. The two races counted toward rounds three and four (of 11) in the 2010 series, with Baird pleased at their forward progress compared the series opener at Shanghai in April.

“In some ways it’s been a great weekend – we went back to basics here, and the car is good in terms of setup, now we can concentrate on beating (Christian) Menzel,” said Baird.

On 66 points – 14 behind series leader Christian Menzel (GER), Baird’s best result was in qualifying when he was 0.128 second off the fastest time around the 2.4 kilometre circuit. Unable to capitalise on the front-row position alongside the defending series champion at the start, Baird instead had to follow Menzel’s bumper for the accident shortened 14 lap race (of 25).

In a repeat result for the afternoon 25 lap race, Baird could but follow the German, finishing 1.717 seconds behind at the chequered flag.

“I had a better start than in the first race, but still not good enough to get the advantage over Menzel. My car was probably better than his at the start of the race but you could see his team’s strategy of it coming on late-race is what kept him out of reach.”

Adding to his weekend, Baird was notified he’d been awarded the prestigious Jim Clark Trophy at the MotorSport New Zealand’s premier awards on Saturday evening.

“That was great news and is a very special award for any driver to have hold. So to me, to win it for the second successive year, makes it a very rewarding weekend – it’s just a shame I could be in New Zealand to uplift it. But it’s also a tribute to my team – the Triple X Motorsport guys, here with me, and the rest back home for our Porsche title. Plus the United Video PSR Racing team, including my father-in-law Gary Pedersen – who helped me to that V8 title.”

Returning to his Queensland home for a few weeks, Baird will reunite with his Triple X Motorsport team in China mid-June for round’s five and six, being raced at the Zhuhai International Circuit (18 – 20 June).

# # #

Results: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2010 - Beijing International Circuit (rounds three and four).

Round 4 Results

Pos. Driver Cls Entrant Time
1 Christian MENZEL (GER) A Team StarChase (CHN) 31:03.066
2 Craig BAIRD (NZL) A Team PCS Racing (SIN) +1.717
3 Keita SAWA (JPN)* A LKM Racing (HKG) +5.326
4 Rodolfo AVILA (MAC) A Team Jebsen (HKG) +5.620
5 MOK Weng Sun (SIN) B Team PCS Racing (SIN) +11.758
6 Philip MA (HKG) A Jacob & Co Racing (HKG) +14.182
7 Jean Marc MERLIN (FRA) B Team J2M Racing (FRA) +16.934
8 Wayne SHEN (HKG) B Modena Motorsports (HKG) +17.206
9 Yuey TAN (SIN) B Wimobilize McElrea Racing (SIN) +18.035
10 Christian CHIA (CAN) B OpenRoad Racing (HKG) +22.654

Round 3 Results

Pos. Comp No. Driver Cls Entrant Time
1 Christian MENZEL (GER) A Team StarChase (CHN) 18:32.903
2 Craig BAIRD (NZL) A Team PCS Racing (SIN) +3.600
3 Marchy LEE (HKG) A Red Bull Racing (HKG) +8.067
4 Rodolfo AVILA (MAC) A Team Jebsen (HKG) +8.638
5 MOK Weng Sun (SIN) B Team PCS Racing (SIN) +13.448
6 Jean Marc MERLIN (FRA) B Team J2M Racing (FRA) +20.755
7 Philip MA (HKG) A Jacob & Co Racing (HKG) +21.245
8 Francis TJIA (HKG) B OpenRoad Racing (HKG) +24.124
9 Yuey TAN (SIN) B Wimobilize McElrea Racing (SIN) +25.259
10 Christian CHIA (CAN) B OpenRoad Racing (HKG) +29.491

2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Championship – overall points (after four of 11 rounds) – top-five.

N.B. each race is classified a race round

1. C Menzel (GER), 82
2. C Baird (NZL) 66
3. M Sun (SIN) 48
4. R Avila (MAC) 40
5. D O’Young (HKG) 36

Beijing Porsche battle for Baird

2010-05-19T10:44:00.000+12:00

Recently honoured New Zealander Craig Baird MNZM, has higher aspirations for this weekend’s second round of the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia being raced in Beijing 21-23 May. Currently third in the title standings for professional race drivers after the first two rounds, 39-year-old Baird returns to China with his Auckland based Triple X Motorsport crew, sure of an improvement in his point position.

“We started the season on a new circuit (to me) with a new car – unsure of how setup changes would alter the car characteristics. It’ll still be a new circuit, but I’ve got my head around the car so feel comfortable at setting times to put us at the front of the grid,” said the now Queensland based Kiwi.
Tackling two races at the 2.4 kilometre Goldenport International Circuit, Baird says reigning Porsche Carrera Cup Asia champion Christian Menzel is there for the taking.
“He’s a great driver to race against – so is the perfect benchmark to start our weekend alongside.” Although Baird considers Menzel’s 11 point lead perfect fodder to oust the current leader.

“Even though he has an advantage of having raced the track previously, we’ve beaten him before so I have to keep him behind me. While we can claim some of our lost ground, it’s going to take a non-finish on his part to really open up the championship - its early days.”

With strict guidelines on when the cars can be prepared for the race weekend, the team head to Beijing Monday night, acclimatising ahead of the Wednesday morning when they can un-pack the VnC Cocktails Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. Checking the car over, the team rely on local contacts to supply any parts to have the car ready for Friday testing. Following qualifying on Saturday, the two 25-lap Sunday races account for rounds three and four of the 11 race season.

Located 20 kilometres from the Beijing Capital International Airport, the weekend incorporates the Fascination Porsche event from May 21-23, which will cover a host of motorsport-related activities. Featuring a display of vintage Porsche cars, brought especially to Beijing from the Porsche museum in Stuttgart, Germany, it will include icons of Porsche performance.

The impressive line-up will comprise such notable racing cars as the 550 Spyder which Hans Hermann drove to a class victory in the Carrera Panamericana of 1954, the record-breaking Porsche 904/8, and an icon of Porsche performance, the Porsche 917 Langheck which gave Porsche its first overall victory at Le Mans in 1970. Also featured will be a Porsche 959, the model which took first and second places in the 1986 Paris-Dakar Rally.

Podium for Baird in Shanghai

2010-04-20T09:16:00.000+12:00

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.

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

Kiwi made product and driver head to China

2010-04-13T11:42:00.000+12:00

Baird only Kiwi in Asia series

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.

Bamber misses Toyota title in last-lap battle

2010-03-21T18:10:00.000+13:00

Wanganui’s Earl Bamber had a nail-biting clincher to the 2010 Toyota Racing Series – losing his race grip on the title crown after a last-lap gain by rival Mitch Evans.

Winning this morning’s 20-lap Denny Hulme trophy race in the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40, Bamber started the afternoon 12-lap race from sixth in the top-six reverse grid finale. Making a careful start he worked his way to the front for what resulted in a three-peat victory for the weekend. However the overall title came down to the finishing position of 15-year-old Evans, who needed to finish third or better.

Triple X Motorsport team-mate Stefan Webling moved the Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota to second behind Bamber with Palmerston North’s Sam McNeill following through to hold third position – ousting Evans from the top tier. However the positions reversed in the dying laps, with McNeill suffering front wing damage to let Evans back to third in the race and the series lead.

Bamber said he could see the frantic duelling unfolding in his mirrors – only able to help his own cause by finishing first.

“It came close, but full credit to Mitch, such a young guy and he held on without making any mistakes. The race was a hard one to judge and I think he deserves the credit of the title,” said the 19-year-old.

“The car was brilliant – it had so much grip, drive and turn-in – it was full credit to the Triple X Motorsport team to allow me to win the race.”

With the most race wins for the season, Bamber was only three points from title contention at the final chequered flag around the 3.5 kilometre Taupo circuit.

Following Bamber to the chequered flag, 21-year-old Webling was elated with his finish to the season – paying tribute to the team behind his #41 Toyota car.

“For the first time this season we started from the front row and we had a good car. We put Earl’s setup on it for the last race, changed my style a bit and I was able to get along to get my best result of the series,” said Webling.

“I’ve learned so much from Earl and really enjoyed racing hard together and working with Triple X Motorsport – they’ve got a good team and are all experienced at the top level.”

Toyota Racing Series points after round five (of five) – top seven
1, Mitch Evans, Auckland, 915
2, Earl Bamber, Triple X, Wanganui, 912
3, Andrew Waite, Auckland, 717
4, Sten Pentus, Estonia, 660
5, Daniel Jileson, Taumaruni, 589
6, Alastair Wootten, Auckland, 584
7, Stefan Webling, Triple X, New Plymouth, 606

Baird claims record victory

2010-03-21T18:08:00.001+13:00

A win in the final race of the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge cemented Triple X Motorsport’s third consecutive championship victory with Craig Baird securing an unprecedented sixth title at Taupo this weekend.

The 39-year-old’s 24th New Zealand title, Baird extended his all-time streak to 25 when he also won the V8 touring car title as well, at the final round of the summer race season.

Consolidating his points lead in the Sunday morning race with a third placing, Baird in the Mad Butcher ZM Porsche 997 started the season finale from the front row alongside Triple X Motorsport team-mate David Reynolds.

“I told the team early I wanted to go out and annihilate everyone,” said an animated Baird of his plan for the season.

“Today I had to consolidate the championship and is maybe half a reason why I’ve won so many is I think about how I’m going to do it. I think today proves the point, winning the championship by a big margin came first, then I could go all out for the final. And the very reason why was the people behind me – the Triple X Motorsport team, my family and supporters that have got me the very best so I can be the best.”

Driving the Indians bar Hampsta Porsche 997, Reynolds lost out in the drag to the first turn when Baird capitalised on the more favoured outside run to the tightening left-hand corner. Crossing the line third put the Melbourne based driver just out of reach of the weekend podium, having punctured early in this morning’s second race.

Finishing between the pair, 25-year-old Daniel Gaunt secured his third overall in the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge standings by finishing the final race second in the Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997.

“I had a lot of help from my friends – my Triple X Motorsport team-mates,” said the Auckland based driver. “They have been great all year, working together as a team we’ve secured first and third in the championship, which is another great result.”

“We had a plan for that final race – and it came off. The team came through with a great car and while our opposition came on strong toward the end of the season I’m proud of our results.”

Consistency also rewarded team principal Shane McKillen, finishing sixth and seventh for the day, the VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 driver paid tribute to his front-runners:
“It’s a team effort and we work hard on fostering that spirit, we all work together to deliver the results – from our engineers, drivers, right through to our business partners. Certainly this weekend has been rewarding for me as a driver, but seeing the guys up front battling with opposition and coming through is a just reward for everyone’s efforts.”

Auckland junior Courtney Letica driving the Altherm Porsche 997 made a great recovery from his earlier woes to finish just ahead of his team boss in the final. Christchurch’s Paul Kelly didn’t start the final race, deciding a suspected gearbox noise in the Paul Kelly Motor Company Porsche 997 wasn’t worth risking a potential failure.

Confirming Baird and Gaunt’s first and third in the championship will take place Sunday evening with an informal prizegiving in Taupo.

The team now focus on Baird contesting his inaugural season in the Carrera Cup Asia series, having set fastest time in testing for the 2010 season in Malaysia recently, with the first round being contested 16-18 April.

Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge points after round six (of six) – top-ten
1, Craig Baird, Triple X, Queensland, 1415
2, Jonny Reid, Auckland, 1269
3, Daniel Gaunt, Triple X, Auckland, 1236
4, Matt Halliday, USA, 1213
5, David Reynolds, Triple X, Melbourne, 1076
6, Courtney Letica, Triple X, Auckland, 835
7, Mitch Cunningham, Auckland, 797
8, Shane McKillen, Triple X, Auckland, 791
9, Hugh Gardiner, Auckland, 693
10 82 Andrew Bagnall Auckland 642

Baird 0.3 second from championship title

2010-03-20T19:56:00.000+13:00

Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird finished today’s 100 kilometre Mad Butcher Porsche race 0.3 of a second away from securing the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge title at Taupo.

The final of six rounds by the six car Auckland based team, Baird’s 182 point lead in the championship standings was reduced to 140 with two 75 point races left to run in the weekend.
Finishing fourth overall having spent an hour aboard a V8 touring car before the Porsche endurance race, Baird said the demands were unnecessary given what is at stake.

“To be fair I can’t believe the two sessions are back-to-back. I have to hurry between one car and getting in to the next so I don’t miss getting out on to the track before they close the pit lane,” said Baird having climbed from his right-hand-drive Ford to get in to the left-hand-drive Porsche before today’s race. “I’ve done two championships for two years and it’s not getting fairer. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to consider putting another race between them.”

With the race won by Jonny Reid, Triple X Motorsport’s Daniel Gaunt finished second having started from fourth in the Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997.

“We got a great pit-stop by the boys which was the fastest of the race - that helped. But we started our tyre pressures slightly lower and just kept the car straight to focus on looking after the tyres,” said the 25-year-old Gaunt. Scalping Matt Halliday late in the pursuit, Gaunt has consolidated his third place in the standings ahead of tomorrow’s two races.

Bad luck befell Melbourne’s David Reynolds, whose pole in qualifying and early race lead evaporated in the pit-stop when a wheel nut jammed. The Indians bar Hampsta Porsche 997 then had to stop a second time for a flat left front tyre, dropping Reynolds to eighth.

Auckland’s Courtney Letica finished fifth in the Altherm Porsche 997 having started 13th when he broke a rear suspension arm in the morning qualifying. Team principal Shane McKillen finished seventh in the VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 with Christchurch’s Paul Kelly ninth, driving the Paul Kelly Motors Porsche 997.

Concluding the summer race season; each of Sunday’s two races offer 75 points for the winner. The ten-lap race in the morning is followed mid-afternoon by the season ending 12 lap top-six reverse-grid. Baird needs to finish 21st or better to secure his sixth successive Porsche title.

Bamber wins Toyota race

2010-03-20T17:05:00.001+13:00

Wanganui’s Earl Bamber has won the 15-lap Toyota Racing Series race at Taupo having started from pole in the Triple X Motorsport run VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40.

With a winning margin of 0.6 of a second, Bamber’s win eats in to the overall series lead held by Mitch Evans, cutting the deficit from 32 points to 26. Although Bamber led for the entire race, he said the strategy was to do what was required to stay in front and conserve the tyres for the remaining two races on the programme.

“What we are hunting is points, so the goal was the race win and save the tyres as much as we can because we’ve got three decent length races and one set of tyres,” said Bamber.
“With the V8’s and Porsches racing here the track has changed slightly since qualifying this morning and the car wasn’t as balanced as we’d setup. So we’ll look at the data and even though we won the race we can still make it better.”

New Plymouth’s Stefan Webling suffered in the second Triple X Motorsport car, bending the steering on the left-front tyre of the Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota. Having been a top-four pacesetter, the 21-year-old said he was unsure what bent one of the front arms that forced him to pit mid-race for the team to try realigning his wheel.

The final of five rounds on the 2010 calendar, tomorrow’s two races around the 3.5 kilometre circuit includes the 20-lap Denny Hulme memorial trophy feature in the morning, with a season concluding ten-lap sprint at 4:10pm.

Results: Toyota Racing Series race one – Taupo (15 laps)
1. E Bamber, Wanganui, Triple X Motorsport
2. M Evans, Auckland, +0.652s
3. S McNeill, Palmerston North, +9.502s
4. J McNee, Wellington, +10.921
5. A Waite, Auckland, +11.203
6. A Wootten, Auckland, +20.466
7. S Webling, New Plymouth, Triple X Motorsports, +1m03.604

Bamber close to championship dream

2010-03-17T10:50:00.001+13:00

Having won the 2010 New Zealand Grand Prix in February, Triple X Motorsport driver Earl Bamber has been intently focused on securing the Toyota Racing Series title being contested at the Taupo finale this weekend 19 – 21 March.

Currently second overall after four of the five rounds, Bamber has an open mind at being able to overtake the current points leader Mitch Evans – who has shown bouts of inconsistency.

Racing the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota F40 wings and slicks car, one of two run by the Auckland based Triple X Motorsport, Bamber has steadily improved during the quick-fire three-month season.

“Our first goal of the weekend is to work on getting the car right in early practise to give us the best ever chance of getting pole position in qualifying. Then all we can really do is win all three races and see what happens from there,” said the 19-year-old.

Trailing by 34 points with 75 on offer for a race win, Bamber says his plan with the Triple X Motorsport team played out at Manfeild by winning the coveted New Zealand Grand Prix crown – something he aims to repeat this weekend.

“We’ve got a plan and a couple little bits we’re working on, then we should be right there.”

“I enjoy racing at Taupo; it offers up quite a few passing opportunities, although I haven’t raced there for two years to be honest.”

Similarly, New Plymouth apprentice mechanic Stefan Webling will also be looking for the short way round the 3.5 kilometre circuit, having only ever raced the venue in a Formula Ford. Sharing in the data and technical resources of the team, Webling has shadowed Bamber in his rookie season to hasten his initial learning curve.

Having shown front-pack pace, Webling’s Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota is intent on pulling together this season’s knowledge for a personal best at the weekend finale.

With two timed practise sessions on Friday, Saturday morning’s 20 minute qualifying session will decide the grid for the first two races. The Saturday afternoon race is over 15-laps, with the Denny Hulme Memorial race covering 20-laps on the Sunday morning, followed by a ten lap race late in the afternoon.

Baird wrestles for championship

2010-03-16T14:15:00.000+13:00

The climax to the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge arrives this weekend when Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird aims to secure the overall title at Taupo (19 – 21 March).

Leading since the six round season began in early November, Baird MNZM, in the ZM Mad Butcher Porsche 997 has a hefty 182 point lead, with the Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997 of Daniel Gaunt third, 186 points behind.

While the six-car Auckland based team are aiming for three of their cars to again secure the top three podium positions, Melbourne’s David Reynolds in the Indian’s bar Hampsta Porsche 997 is still an outside shot.

However, Baird cautions nothing is ever certain no matter how small or large your points advantage.

“Finishing the first race is critical,” said the Queensland based Kiwi of the Mad Butcher 100 kilometre enduro to be held on Saturday afternoon. “That 150 points is your turning point for not just the weekend but the season. If you’re not in the points on that one you’re just making up the numbers for the rest of the weekend.”

“It relies on more than just the team giving you the best car and setup that as a driver I can go out and do my job. The pit-stop has become a bit controversial with a sliding-scale approach to how they should be done and that has impacted on what we do as drivers.”

“Being the final round there is so much at stake for us all – it’s too late for rules to be made or changed – we’ve got a job to do and a show to put on.”

Fresh from testing the Triple X Motorsport Porsche 997 at Sepang ahead of the opening round of the 2010 Carrera Cup Asia series, Baird’s clasp on this year’s podium could see him move past his current tally of 23 New Zealand championships. Team principal Shane McKillen also had a test of the Carrera Cup car around the Malaysian circuit, placing mid-field as he readies to drive his VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 inside the top-ten for the season.

Another crisp from competition, 25-year-old Gaunt has just completed his third round in the 2010 V8 Supercar series. Returning to this weekend’s Porsche finale, Gaunt’s aim is to reverse the four point difference between him and second overall in the standings.

At 21 years of age, Auckland’s Courtney Letica’s championship chase plays second to his quest for outright placings aboard the Altherm Porsche 997. Having taken his first ever race win in the premier category at Timaru late January, Letica’s early season form has resulted in improved placings.

Joining the team to share technical expertise, Christchurch businessman Paul Kelly will also contest the final event for the season, having enjoyed running the Paul Kelly Motors Porsche 997 to its full potential.

While the drivers don’t get to test until 11:30am Friday morning, the team arrive early Thursday to setup for the finale. Following a second and 40 minute test session in the afternoon, drivers will take corporate guests for hot-lap rides late in the day around Taupo’s 3.5 kilometre circuit.

Evaluating car data and driver feedback, any car setup changes will be readied for a Saturday morning call to incorporate potential weather changes. Following the 11:25am qualifying session, fine-tuning for the 100 kilometre race gives the team until 5:20pm.

Sunday hosts a 10-lap race late in the morning, with the season ending 16-lap top-reverse-six grid race at 3:40pm.

Gaunt wins Porsche race for Triple X

2010-02-14T17:52:00.004+13:00

Muscling to the lead early in today’s final 16-lap top-six reverse grid Porsche GT3 Cup race at Manfeild allowed Auckland based V8 Supercar driver Daniel Gaunt his first victory with the Triple X Motorsport team.

The penultimate round in the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Gaunt stole the lead position bestowed upon team principal for the afternoon race, leading the field through the first turns and on to the chequered flag.

“I’m happy I held on there in the end – it was great to get back in the winner’s circle, but we’ve got a bit of work to do with our pace here at Manfeild,” cautioned Gaunt after the win.
“Jonny Reid has been driving well, so we had to get the better start and keep everyone behind us.”

Starting from pole position following a sixth place finish in this morning’s 12-lap scratch race, McKillen in the VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 was swamped by the 15-car field at the start. Gaunt in the Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997 was directly behind his boss, ducking to the side and taking the clean line.

Instead it was defending series champion Craig Baird in the ZM Mad Butcher Porsche 997 who got blockaded in the melee and had to sit behind the top-six pack.

Fighting for the round victory, Melbourne based David Reynolds was close to getting the Indians bar Hampsta Porsche 997 to a second successive win of the weekend in the morning race, but couldn’t keep Jonny Reid from again stealing his mantle in the third.

Bringing up the chasing pack, continued consistency by 21-year-old Courtney Letica driving the Altherm Porsche 997 saw him finish sixth in the final – one place ahead of team principal McKillen.

Christchurch car dealer Paul Kelly had an improved performance following the wet of Saturday’s race – finishing ninth.

Today’s round action has elevated Triple X Motorsport’s Daniel Gaunt to second overall in the points standings – 186 points behind his leading team-mate Craig Baird with three races to contest.

The final round action takes place in five weeks at the mid-North Island location of Taupo (19-21 March).

Bamber wins New Zealand Grand Prix

2010-02-14T17:52:00.003+13:00

Triple X Motorsport driver Earl Bamber has etched his name in eternal history by winning the first Grand Prix of 2010, held at the New Zealand location of Manfeild today.

The sweetest Valentine’s Day present for the 19-year-old, Wanganui based Bamber started the 35-lap race from the front row of the grid, taking the win by a half-second margin in the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40 car.

Following squally weather conditions in the Saturday build-up race that Bamber failed to finish, the all-important Grand Prix started under clear skies with a gentle breeze to subdue the summer heat. With the longest race of the weekend ahead, Bamber started well, but had to settle for second behind the younger rival Mitch Evans. With six laps to run a safety car incident bunched the field that allowed Bamber to pressure for the advantage at the re-start.

“Mitch (Evans) was really quick in the beginning and our car was set to get faster later in the race so I knew if I could stay close enough we should be able to take the lead. Once the safety car came out I knew we had the better pace so from the restart we had a good attack, a bit of contact, but we got a clean pass to get the job done,” said an elated Bamber as he collected his accolades.

“It’s a credit to the team – throughout the season they’ve done a great job and now we’ve got the best result by winning the Grand Prix.”

An event first run in 1950, previous winners include the likes of Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Kenny Smith, Chris Amon, and Craig Baird. And for the Triple X Motorsport team it was a double victory having won the trophy with driver Daniel Gaunt in 2009.

“It’s what you dream about winning,” added Bamber. “The Grand Prix is such a big prize internationally, so to be a Kiwi name alongside so many internationals is very special – especially having the Triple X Motorsport team win it back-to-back.”

New Plymouth apprentice mechanic Stefan Webling started his first ever Grand Prix, with the 21-year-old went from go to woe when he tangled early in the race to drop from podium contention. Then late in the race he pinched a tyre braking in to the sweeping final turn leading on to the front straight, getting stuck in the gravel trap that precedes the tyre safety wall. Extracted by rescue personnel, he pitted for a precautionary check before resuming in last place – the same position he held to the chequered flag.

Concluding the international segment of the five round Toyota Racing Series, Bamber has secured his second overall in the standings with one round remaining – to be contested late March near Taupo.

Results: 2010 New Zealand Grand Prix – Toyota Racing Series 35-laps Manfeild 14 February.
Pos car driver time
1 7 Earl Bamber 38min43.796
2 4 Mitchell Evans +0.512
3 20 Sten Pentus +1.207
4 47 Ritchie Stanaway +3.315
5 9 Daniel Jilesen +4.214
6 8 Jamie McNee +5.312
7 6 Sam MacNeill +5.378
8 48 Andrew Waite +6.888
9 69 Alistair Wootten +7.311
10 11 Ken Smith +10.450
11 41 Stefan Webling +2 Laps

Reynolds wins Porsche race

2010-02-13T20:17:00.001+13:00

Triple X Motorsport driver David Reynolds took a convincing win in this weekend’s first of three races at the series penultimate round of the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge being held at Manfeild.

Starting from the front row in steady rain, Reynolds in the #8 Hampsta Indians bar Porsche 997 got the better start for the 12-lap race around the 3.03 kilometre circuit – a lead he continually extended to the chequered flag.

“We got a good start, Matt Halliday got a bit of a jump, but I got the better drive and got in to turn one leading. So I put my head down; got a few good laps in early and saved my tyres – taking the win,” said Reynolds.

Although the 24-year-old Melbourne based driver had a distracting build-up to the race when the in-board air-jack in his car failed as the team were putting it on the ground.

“It collapsed just before the start of the race when it was being used to lower the car, so there was a bit of running around to get the car properly sorted – so a special thanks to the Triple X boys for that.”

While Reynolds was out front, a battle for third see-sawed between Matt Halliday and Triple X Motorsport team-mates Craig Baird and Daniel Gaunt. Baird in the #1 Mad Butcher ZM Porsche 997 took the initial advantage, before losing track position that let Gaunt in the #3 Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997 try for position. A skirmish involving Gaunt allowed Baird the position at the flag, with Courtney Letica in the #5 Altherm Porsche finishing behind in fourth.

Team principal Shane McKillen finished seventh in the #2 VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 with Christchurch car dealer Paul Kelly 12th in the #90 Paul Kelly Motor Company Porsche 997.

With today’s result extending Baird’s overall title lead to 146 points, Sunday’s races include two more 75 point scoring opportunities with the morning 12-lap race followed by an afternoon 16-lap reverse top-six grid finale.

Adding to the Triple X Motorsport victory count, Whangarei’s Scott Harrison drove the #5 Carpet One Suzuki to an emphatic maiden race win in the Suzuki Swift Cup series having set fastest time in the morning qualifying.

Toyota Racing Series drivers Earl Bamber and Stefan Webling started from second and third respectively on the grid for the 20-lap Dan Higgins memorial race, however neither finished despite both taking turns leading the field in the early stages.

Bamber moves to second in Toyota series

2010-02-07T17:23:00.000+13:00

The weekend’s third round of the Toyota Racing Series has elevated Triple X Motorsport driver Earl Bamber to second overall after three races at the brand-new Hampton Downs race circuit.

Following on from his third placing in Saturday’s 15-lap race, Bamber driving the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher FT40 continued his points claim with a second in this morning’s pursuit.

In sweltering conditions at the venue adjacent to State Highway one, Bamber had to start from the third row in the afternoon 20-lap New Zealand Motor Cup race, behind championship rivals Sten Pentus (Estonia) and Mitch Evans (Auckland). Resigned to laying in wait for the front-runners to tangle, Bamber managed a fourth placed result at the chequered flag. The net points tied him for second in the weekend standings and similarly tied for second overall in the championship.

“We’ve made some good gains but we still don’t have the car pace so we’ve still got to keep improving as a team,” said Bamber.

“Realistically we’ve got to find three-to-four tenths of a second; we’re not far behind in a championship point-of-view but we need to be faster earlier in the weekend to be honest.” explained Bamber of the slower early weekend qualifying pace that decided the premier race grid.

New Plymouth’s Stefan Webling in the Horizon Energy Miles Toyota FT40 car finished sixth for the afternoon race, after a tangle in the morning that required a pit-stop to ensure the car was still aligned correctly.

“We’re fairly happy; although the car didn’t hook-up quite as well in the major race so we could have done even better I think, but to finish sixth, yes, we’re happy,” he said.
“We now head to Manfeild where I’ve done many many laps, so I think we’ve got a positive twist on where we’re at.”

Damage free, the Triple X Motorsport Toyota duo hand their cars back to the team mechanics who have to package the weekend operation for transport to Manfeild on the Monday morning. Upon arrival the crew have race-weekend preparations for the feature New Zealand Grand Prix next Sunday afternoon.

“It’s been a very good weekend for us as a team in the championship,” said Triple X Motorsport team manager Ian McNabb. “There was a lot at stake for both Earl and Stefan, so it’s great to see them both achieve at a new venue.”

Similar to this weekend’s race programme, three races spread over the Saturday and Sunday at the Manfeild venue will add to the championship chase – which will be the fourth and penultimate in the 2010 season.

2010 Toyota Racing Series - Championship points after round three (of five) – top eight
1 Mitch Evans Auckland 558
2= Earl Bamber (Triple X) Wanganui 533
2= Sten Pentus, Estonia 533
4 Lucas Foresti, Brazil 491
5 Andrew Waite, Auckland 463
6 Daniel Jileson, Taumaruni 405
7 Alastair Wootten, Auckland 356
8 Stefan Webling (Triple X) New Plymouth 352

Race results: New Zealand Motor Cup - Toyota Racing Series 20-lap race 1 Hampton Downs (top-six)
1 20 Sten Pentus 21:00.061
2 47 Ritchie Stanaway +2.151
3 28 Lucas Foresti +5.427
4 7 Earl Bamber +9.295
5 4 Mitch Evans +12.241
6 41 Stefan Webling +12.453

Bamber climbs on to Toyota podium

2010-02-06T16:32:00.001+13:00

A mature drive in the summer heat of today’s 15-lap race at Hampton Downs saw 19-year-old Triple X Motorsport’s Earl Bamber drive the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40 to third place after starting from sixth.

The first race in the third round of the 2010 Toyota Racing Series held at the brand-new 2.8 kilometre circuit, Bamber leap-frogged Estonian Sten Pentus and fellow Kiwi Richie Stanaway mid-race to take break the procession. Claiming one spot following a red-flag re-started race in the opening lap, Bamber stayed with the front-running pack to seize the two-position opportunity when it came his way.

“You could tell Richie has got nothing to lose and Sten is racing for the championship,” described Bamber. “So there was a definite battle between them. Having a much better handling car than in qualifying we could keep pace and be ready to attack. So seeing them both make mistakes when they pushed each other wide at the hair-pin I capitalised – got ahead and started to pull away.”

“It was great to get third and finish in front of Sten, meaning we get more championship points against his previous lead.”

Managing to avoid the start-grid duelling, New Plymouth’s Stefan Webling got in behind Bamber at the re-start before some elbowing placed him mid-pack in seventh.

“The start was good,” said Webling, having started from ninth. “But our tyre pressure strategy didn’t work so made my progress feel backward. By the time the pressures got the tyres working it was too late to re-gain the places lost.”

As the starting order for Sunday’s opening 15-lap race, Bamber predicts the results will largely be dictated by the quality of the standing-launch. Followed by the weekend feature from 3:30pm, the 20-lap New Zealand Motor Cup race has been previously won by the likes of Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren.

“It’s also a real tribute to the guys that make up the Triple X Motorsport team,” added Bamber. “Their support and experience allowed by the opportunity to further improve my championship position: Ian – the team manager, the two Mark’s and Matt that work on my car – they’ve all been putting in a lot of hours.”

Championship points after today’s first race (round three Toyota Racing Series)
1. M Evans (Auckland) 449
2. S Pentus (Estonia) 428
3. E Bamber (Wanganui) 412

Race results: Toyota Racing Series 15-lap race 1 Hampton Downs (top-nine)
pos, car, name, time
1 4 Mitch Evans (Auckland) 25:11.568
2 28 Lucas Foresti (Brazil) +4.092
3 7 Earl Bamber (Wanganui, Triple X) +6.276
4 47 Ritchie Stanaway (Tauranga) +6.750
5 20 Sten Pentus (Estonia) +7.962
6 48 Andrew Waite (Auckland) +8.624
7 41 Stefan Webling (New Plymouth, Triple X) +10.847
8 69 Alastair Wootten (Auckland) +16.238
9 11 Ken Smith (Auckland) +24.708

Triple X Bamber to lead attack on Motor Cup

2010-02-03T13:01:00.000+13:00

Wanganui’s 19-year-old Earl Bamber will make a dash for the New Zealand Motor Cup at this weekend’s Toyota Racing Series event being held at the Hampton Downs circuit (6-7 February).

The third round of five in the 2010 series, the three-race programme is headlined by Sunday afternoon’s 20-lap race for the prestigious trophy, previously won by the likes of Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren.

Fresh from double victory at the previous round near Timaru, Bamber, in the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota F40 heads the Triple X Motorsport team that includes New Plymouth’s Stefan Webling driving the Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota car.

Having never raced at the brand new location situated mid-way between Hamilton and Auckland, the 2.8 kilometre circuit offers a new challenge for the pairing – having to learn their way round.

“Hopefully I will able to draw on my experience of learning many different circuits,” said Bamber ahead of the mid-season weekend. “We’ve got a top quality field – one that I think is the most competitive ever with the likes of Mitch Evans and Estonian Sten Pentus. So it’s going to be tough going, and equal playing field from that point-of-view. Plus I can draw on guys in the team to get us in front and build further on our race victories – because we still do have some pace to find in the dry.”

Bamber’s rapid return to form has him looking forward to driving the newly established facility, despite not having partaken in pre-season testing enjoyed by others in the field.

“The track is very wide and the thing I like, it has a lot of elevation change which is something we don’t see a lot of at New Zealand circuits. So I’m looking forward to driving it - as it will be similar to some of the European circuits I’ve raced; the up and down, blind turn-in and braking points. It will be gruelling but everyone will basically be starting with a blank sheet of paper.”

21-year-old Stefan Webling is similarly eager to measure his gains. Shadowing Bamber during his rookie season, Webling’s access to team data and engineering has elevated the apprentice mechanics championship aim. Running as high as third in his last race, he was the victim of a mid-field melee that pin-balled him from his position.

Starting with an hour testing Thursday afternoon, official practise begins on the Friday before the opening race grid positions are decided in Saturday morning’s qualifying session. With a 15-lap race Saturday afternoon and late Sunday morning, the afternoon 56 kilometre trophy race should take less than 21 minutes.

Currently in third place in the overall series standings, Bamber is 27 points adrift of leader Pentus, with 75 points for a race win.

New Zealand’s Triple X Motorsport to race in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia

2010-02-02T10:43:00.000+13:00

Auckland based Triple X Motorsport have today confirmed their entry in the world’s largest one-make race car category – contesting the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia with driver Craig Baird MNZM.

Supporting both the Shanghai and Singapore Formula One Grand Prix events, the 2010 championship covers six venues across four countries (China, Singapore, Korea and Malaysia) starting in April and concluding late October.

The first time the Asia series has allowed entry from private teams, the lure of prize money and an international television audience exceeding 76 million viewers primes the New Zealand team for success on debut.

“We want to win – we think we can,” said Triple X Motorsport team principal and prominent New Zealand businessman Shane McKillen. “Craig has won the Porsche series in Australia and New Zealand several times, Asia is very strong this year and I think maybe the strongest Carrera Cup series in the world. There are lots of European drivers; Christian Menzel, Danny Watts – guys who will be a good challenge for Craig and the Triple X Motorsport team.”

With a substantial lead in New Zealand’s Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Baird who has 23 New Zealand and two Australian championship titles, heads to Asia buoyed by his previous success in one-off races last year.

“There are plenty of good guys there at the top of their game: Christian Menzel that drives for the Alzen’s in Germany, Danny Watts, who was the British A1GP driver, Darryl O’Young who drives the GT2 class for the factory Porsche team so I’m really looking forward to it - it’ll be a competitive series. Plus it’s a refreshing change for me as well; I love racing in New Zealand and being involved in Triple X Motorsport, so to go to Asia with my own team is probably one of the most important things. It increases chances of achieving success - having that good group, I couldn’t wish for a better team,” said the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi, named in the 2010 New Year honours list.

While the series is based on identical specification Porsche 997-based 911 cars, the team will run the 2010 GT3 RS-based version backed by New Zealand produced VnC Cocktails.

“The VnC brand is very strong is Asia and I think it’s complimentary to motorsport and what we’re doing,” added McKillen. “Plus it also creates a development path for some of our young guys who can now get a chance to run in Asia and see what it’s like. Also there is an opportunity to bring some young Asian series drivers down to run New Zealand over the summer, give them a bit of testing and a few miles before they start their new championship.”

With Baird able to benefit from the summer championship race programme, he says driving one of the 24 new Porsche’s entered to the series will put everyone at the same level.

“It’s a new car – so no-one has any data on how to get the most from the car at each circuit – that makes it a good year to join the championship as it’s never going to be as even as it is now. I obviously have to learn some of the circuits – but we all have to learn the cars; it comes back to the cars more so than the driver I believe,” he added.

“The 2010 car has another 40 horsepower more and is about 150mm wider with larger tyres, so you’d expect to be 1-2 seconds quicker at most circuits – making it a very fast car. Although at the end of the day the car is still a rear-wheel-drive, rear-engined 911 race car like I’ve driven anywhere else.”

With each of the six venues running two races, the 12-round championship rewards a win with ten points plus one point for setting fastest time in qualifying.

Beginning mid-April at the Shanghai Formula One weekend, the team will partake in the official test weekend at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit mid-March.

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

About Porsche Carrera Cup Asia

The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia blasted off the starting grid in 2003 and has never looked back. Joining the family of hugely successful Porsche “one make” series, it has quickly become the premier sportscar series in the region, with a massive fan and media following.

The Carrera Cup Asia field of Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars offers extremely exciting racing across the whole Asian region and is truly international with competitors from all over Asia, as well as Europe. It represents a combination of experienced touring and race drivers in addition to ambitious and talented gentlemen drivers.

The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia runs as part of the Asian Festival of Speed and is a supporting race to two rounds of the FIA Formula One World Championship – in Shanghai and in Singapore.

http://www.porsche.com/china/en/motorsportandevents/porschecarreracupasia/

Bamber takes double win in Toyota’s

2010-01-24T17:46:00.000+13:00

Wanganui’s Earl Bamber has won today’s two Toyota Racing Series Races, taking overall victory for the second round of the 2010 championship season at Timaru’s Levels raceway.

Driving the Triple X Motorsport run Toyota FT40, Bamber made a huge come-back from Saturday’s qualifying and race result, displaying masterful driving around the 2.4 kilometre circuit to head an international field.

“It’s a fantastic day for the Triple X Motorsport Toyota team and I have to thank the Mad Butcher and VnC Cocktails for helping out in getting the car out there and allowing me to do my best,” said Gaunt.

“I don’t think the team could have expected that when we started from eighth this morning in the 20-lap feature race. The guys did a fantastic job with the car setup so we had a blindingly quick car for the wet conditions.”

“Then this afternoon we started sixth and got another fantastic start to be up to third by the first turn. Then by the end of the first lap we were actually leading. Although it was hard to judge how fast to go on the slick tyres with the light rain and then on the last couple of laps Mitch Evans really came charging and it was unfortunate he went off at the end of the straight.”

Following in Bamber’s tyre-tracks, 21-year-old Stefan Webling from New Plymouth jostled for position in the morning Timaru Herald feature race to finish third. Driving the #41 Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota car, he was on track to repeat the performance in the afternoon sprint race. However mid-race he dropped from fourth position when a group of cars touched. Losing his momentum he was unable to climb back, finishing eighth.

Following the two-in-two race weekends in the South Island, the Toyota Racing Series resumes 5-7 February at the brand new Hampton Downs circuit mid-way between Auckland and Hamilton.

Baird wins Timaru Porsche weekend

2010-01-24T17:44:00.000+13:00

Triple X Motorsport’s Craig Baird MNZM has extended his overall lead after the fourth round of the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge with two wins and a third at Timaru’s Levels raceway.

Auckland’s 21-year-old Courtney Letica then took his maiden victory in the afternoon top-six reverse-grid race to make it three from three for the Triple X Motorsport Porsche team.

Driving the #1 ZM Mad Butcher Porsche 997, Baird put a second win on the board this morning during a wet race around the 2.4 kilometre circuit to hold out team-mate David Reynolds in the #8 Hampsta Indian’s bar Porsche 997.

The 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi now has 1003 points with two rounds to complete of the six on the 2009/10 calendar season.

“We had a good weekend; both from a championship perspective and having the team win all three races. So everything is good – we’ve got a good point’s extension with 135 to second place now.

“And it was good too for Courtney, the team and his family who are always here supporting him, got a well deserved win. He had pressure from Halliday so I just sat back, knowing I could win the round if I finished where I was, so wasn’t going to risk getting in to anything with Halliday as he’s a fair way back in the championship now. So I just sat there with a grin on my face looking at Courtney leading it.”

Starting from pole position in the final race, Auckland account manager Letica got a perfect start to the 16-lap race to lead the field through the tricky first turns and on to ultimate victory.

“Without question I haven’t been terribly fast here this weekend, but I played a defensive tactic helped by my car engineer Peter Sprague who told me to keep me focused during the race so I could keep ahead of the others,” said Letica who drives the #5 Altherm Porsche 997.

“The place where I wanted the gap the most was where I got the gap the most. Matt Halliday could really only challenge me at one point and that’s where I was well out of his reach.”

Securing a one-two-three finish for the team, Daniel Gaunt in the #3 Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997 had to battle with team-mates Baird and Reynolds – consistently the runner-up, maintaining his third in the championship chase.

However it was Reynolds who paid the ultimate price in the final race – puncturing his radiator while jostling for position in the early stages.

Finishing the weekend away from the blow-torch battles, team principal Shane McKillen in the #2 VnC Cocktails Porsche placed eighth, directly behind Christchurch car dealer Paul Kelly in the #90 car.

Returning to Auckland to prepare for the series penultimate round, they will journey to Manfeild mid-February for another three race weekend programme.

Triple X Baird breaks Timaru lap record

2010-01-23T16:41:00.000+13:00

Having set fastest time in qualifying for today’s first race in the fourth round of the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird’s victory included a new lap record at the Timaru circuit.

Driving the #1 ZM Mad Butcher Porsche 997, Baird’s time of 1 minute 01.549 around the 2.4km track lowers the previous mark set by team-mate David Reynolds who drives the #8 Hampsta Indians bar Porsche 997.

“I thought it was going to be hard starting from the inside,” said Baird’s whose track position put him off-line for the run through the first series of corners. “I took it easy off the start, picked up some traction, got to the first corner first and that was that really.

“The lap record was there for the taking really. The track is in good nick, with some new seal down. Using brand new tyres because of qualifying in the wet – we had that extra bit more grip. But I needed that win – definitely,” added Baird of the dry weather for the afternoon race.

Second fastest in qualifying and second in this afternoon’s 12-lap race, Reynolds was just out of Baird’s reach while defending his position from a chasing team-mate Daniel Gaunt in the #3 Placemakers Hampsta car.

Finishing third, Gaunt was glad to be still racing after a collision during qualifying while avoiding the un-folding accident of Matt Halliday.

“It put us on the back-foot really – having to stop and repair damage so I could continue. The team kept its composure, keeping us in the top-three – so it was good to still have the pace,” said the 24-year-old Gaunt.

Starting from the damp inside-line, Gaunt said being able to get away cleanly and maintain position was crucial to his weekend results.

Auckland’s 21-year-old Courtney Letica in the #5 Altherm Porsche 997 finished fifth having comfortably kept a chasing Matt Halliday at bay. Christchurch’s Paul Kelly in the #90 Paul Kelly Motors Porsche 997 was eighth with team principal Shane McKillen in the #2 VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 in ninth.

Toyota Racing Series drivers Earl Bamber (#7 VnC Cocktails/Mad Butcher) and Stefan Webling (#41 Horizon Energy/Miles Toyota) started from seventh and ninth respectively in today’s 12-lap race. Unable to get a good time in the wet conditions the afternoon lap served similar results with Bamber finishing sixth and Webling ninth.

Australia’s Chris Wootton has opted to not run for the weekend at the circuit he has never previously contested.

Whangarei’s Scott Harrison finished third in the opening Suzuki Swift Sport Cup race.
With dry weather predicted for tomorrow morning’s racing, conditions for the afternoon are expected to change.

Results race one – Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge 12-laps
Pos No. Name Total time
1 1 Craig Baird, Queensland (Triple X) 12:25.241
2 8 David Reynolds, Melbourne (Triple X) +1.032
3 3 Daniel Gaunt, Auckland (Triple X) +1.270
4 9 Jonny Reid, Auckland +2.366
5 5 Courtney Letica , Auckland (Triple X) +9.968
6 21 Matt Halliday, USA +10.242
7 32 Mitch Cunningham, Auckland +14.326
8 90 Paul Kelly, Christchurch (Triple X) +28.542
9 2 Shane McKillen, Auckland (Triple X) +29.470
10 15 Hugh Gardiner, Auckland +33.872
11 82 Andrew Bagnall , Auckland +36.940
12 26 Simon McLennan, Auckland +38.267
13 11 Simon Evans, Auckland +38.497
14 77 Alan Dippie, Wanaka +1 Lap
15 99 Colin Caldwell, Auckland +1 Lap 36.011

Baird fastest in Porsche practise

2010-01-22T17:53:00.001+13:00

Craig Baird MNZM driving the #1 ZM Mad Butcher Porsche 997 for Auckland Triple X Motorsport has set fastest time in practise for this weekend’s fourth round of the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge being held near Timaru.

“We’ve got a good car for here – probably better balanced than when we were here last year,” said Baird who finished second to team-mate David Reynolds the last time the pair raced at the Levels venue.

“But there is nothing in the times really – he who got a cleaner lap got the better chance of a quicker time.”

Trailing Baird by a mere 0.085 of a second, Reynolds (#8 Hampsta Indians bar Porsche 997) is intent on repeating his last year’s clean-sweep winning performance. Placed behind defending champion and current points leader Craig Baird, Reynolds says the driving the 2.4 kilometre circuit requires a different tactic to other race tracks.

Following threats of rain, changeable conditions have kept the drivers focused on cycling tyres to cope with all weathers for the three race programme contested over the Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday morning qualifying sets the grid for the afternoon 12-lap race, followed by a second 12-lap race Sunday morning and the top-six reverse grid 16-lap race in the afternoon.

Triple X Toyota drivers keen on Timaru

2010-01-19T13:09:00.000+13:00

Last weekend’s opening round of the Toyota Racing Series has Wanganui’s Earl Bamber, New Plymouth’s Stefan Webling and Brisbane’s Chris Wootton confident of their performance at this weekend’s second round at Timaru (23-24 January).

The three Triple X Motorsport run cars have endured an opening weekend that shook a lot of issues from the open-wheel category ahead of the three-race programme at Levels International Motor Raceway in the South Canterbury region.

With each of the E85 biofuelled Toyota FT40 cars equal in performance, setup and driver ability are the two ingredients in separating the field during a race. While Bamber showed early front-running promise, re-learning the car and how it adapts to changes, allowed the former A1 Team New Zealand driver to work his way to the front after the opening race weekend at Teretonga near Invercargill.

“We’ve got a much better car; the car has improved ten-fold over the weekend so the team has done a fantastic job,” said Bamber having finished second in the final race last weekend.

Heading for Timaru, the 19-year old says race placings at the 2.4 kilometre Timaru circuit will again be dictated by qualifying.

“It’s tight and twisty with no passing opportunities – so qualifying is going to be even more crucial.”

For 21-year-old Webling, a series rookie, he’s looking forward to the tighter Timaru circuit.

“I’ve always enjoyed Timaru when I raced it in the Formula Ford. Again there will be a bit of learning being my first time in the Toyota but with Greg Wheeler and the team they will engineer a good car to improve my first season results even more. “

Brisbane’s Chris Wootton says the tough Teretonga weekend contradicted his early progress.

“Obviously I’ve never been to Timaru before but we’ll see what we can achieve. The lead-up to the opening round was going well – I just hope for a good run,” said the 21-year-old.

With two test sessions on the Friday, the all-important qualifying on Saturday morning precedes the afternoon 12-lap race. On Sunday morning there is the 20-lap Timaru Herald trophy race, followed by a 12-lap finale mid-afternoon.

Triple X Reynolds favourite for Timaru Porsche racing

2010-01-19T13:07:00.000+13:00

Following last weekend’s round victory at Invercargill, David Reynolds buoys the Triple X Motorsport team’s chances of successive wins with three races on the calendar this weekend at Timaru for the fourth round of the 2009/2010 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge (23-24 January 2010).

Leading the six round series with an 82 point buffer, Triple X Motorsport’s five-time defending champion Craig Baird MNZM driving the #1 Mad Butcher ZM Porsche 997 has to beat Reynolds in the #8 Indians bar Hampsta car to break his winning streak.

Having scored successive pole positions this season, Reynolds heads in to this weekend’s round as favourite after winning all three races last time he raced at Timaru’s 2.4 kilometre International Motor Raceway.

“I’m going to take the same attitude I did last year - I was very very relaxed going in that round and hopefully I’ll get that good lap in qualifying at start from pole. And from there you can dictate a lot more of the racing,” said the Melbourne based driver.

“Timaru is a completely different track – very technical and tight. So you have to think a lot more about some of the corners with more of a slow-in fast-out approach.”

Missing his first win of the season when he was hit by a competitor in the last race last weekend, Daniel Gaunt driving the #3 Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997 is firing to ensure he improves on his third spot in the championship table.

“It was so disappointing to lose that chance of a win,” said the North Shore based driver. “If you have that chance of victory – and don’t get it, its gut wrenching to try explain why.”

Taking time out between the back-to-back race weekends, team principal and Auckland businessman Shane McKillen has been holidaying in Queenstown with his family. Currently ninth in the standings he is one position behind youngster Courtney Letica in the #5 Altherm Porsche 997.

Letica’s best result in last weekend’s return to racing came with a fifth placing in the final race despite having to start from dead-last.

With Christchurch’s Paul Kelly to return to the series following family commitments the previous weekend, the Christchurch car dealer in the #90 car boosts the team driver lineup to ten. With six Porsche 997 cars the team also run drivers Earl Bamber (Wanganui), Stefan Webling (New Plymouth) and Chris Wootton (Brisbane) in the Toyota Racing Series, along with Whangarei’s Scott Harrison in the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup.

Following on from last weekend’s racing at Teretonga, the team will setup at Timaru on Wednesday to continue preparation of the cars for the Hampsta 200 event. With no pit-stop in the Mad Butcher Porsche race, the weekend starts with two practise sessions on the Friday before Saturday pre-race qualifying.

A 12-lap race on Saturday afternoon is followed by a second 12-lap race Sunday morning and the top-six reverse grid finale of 16 laps in the afternoon.

Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge 2009/2010 points after round three (of six) - top-nine.

Pos, car, driver, town
1 1 Craig Baird Queensland (Triple X) 793
2 21 Matt Halliday USA 707
3 3 Daniel Gaunt Auckland (Triple X) 666
4 9 Jonny Reid Auckland 619
5 8 David Reynolds Melbourne (Triple X) 584
6 82 Andrew Bagnall Auckland 447
7 96 Anthony Pedersen Rotorua 394
7 5 Courtney Letica Auckland (Triple X) 394
9 2 Shane McKillen Auckland (Triple X) 388

Triple X Motorsport driver line-up:

Car number 1: Craig Baird (Mad Butcher/ ZM Porsche 997) – first overall 2008/2009 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
Car number 2: Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997)
Car number 3: Daniel Gaunt (Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997) – third overall 2008/2009 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
Car number 5: Courtney Letica (Altherm Porsche 997)
Car number 8: David Reynolds (Indians Bar/Hampsta Porsche 997) – second overall 2008/2009 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge.

Bamber second in final Toyota race

2010-01-17T19:11:00.002+13:00

Wanganui 19-year-old Earl Bamber has finished today’s third race in the opening round of the 2010 Toyota Racing Series in second place after starting from pole at Invercargill’s Teretonga race circuit.

Initial woe with the gearbox in the Toyota FT40 was rectified overnight by Bamber’s Triple X Motorsport engineer group, allowing the former A1 Team New Zealand driver the opportunity to race for results.

However the pole position start was short-lived when Bamber nearly followed the car alongside him that jumped the start.

“It was mistake on my behalf at the start – the guy on the next row went and I followed, then stopped as I realised he was a bit early, then nearly stalled the car. So that was a distraction – but I take the blame for that,” said Bamber.

Looking back at his return to New Zealand’s premier wing’s and slicks race category, Bamber says the cars are so close there is little opportunity for overtaking – leaving one key to race success: “We have to put it down to qualifying at the start of the weekend. So I’m looking forward to Timaru next weekend – as we have a car that has improved ten-fold over the weekend with help from the fantastic team.”

Behind Bamber in the three-car Triple X Motorsport Toyota team, 21-year-old Stefan Webling of New Plymouth says his first championship round was a great learning experience.

“Obviously it was tough. We started out with a nice car and the pace was good. In these cars you have to qualify well to race well – which was evident in the last race when I had a fast car but a slow guy in front of me and I just couldn’t get past.”

Brisbane’s Chris Wootton introduction to racing in New Zealand has been challenged by a car that was assembled late on Thursday after damage to the monocoque tub.

“It’s a very professional series – and the cars are fun when they are running right. If it’s not running so well it’s not fun to drive,” said the 21-year-old.

With the second championship round next weekend at Timaru, the cars will be prepared on-site at the Levels Raceway for another three races (23-24 January).

Triple podium finish for Triple X Porsche team

2010-01-17T19:11:00.001+13:00

Winning the weekend’s third round of the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Melbourne’s David Reynolds led home team-mates Craig Baird and Daniel Gaunt for a one-two-three finish in the final race at Invercargill’s Teretonga circuit.

Reynolds in the #8 Hampsta Indians bar Porsche 997 won two of the weekend’s three races in the six round series, moving to fifth in the overall standings – behind series leader and defending champion Craig Baird in the sister Mad Butcher ZM car.

“It’s been a good weekend – we’ve got good cars with good race pace. Unfortunately losing one second the pit-stop in the first race cost me the triple victory,” said Reynolds.

“Everyone drove very well in the last race and drove hard - and that’s what I like doing.”

Baird’s 86-point lead at the head of the standings has him ahead of rival Matt Halliday and Triple X Motorsport team-mate Daniel Gaunt – driving the #3 Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997.

With all of the team’s five cars finishing the three races, the picture perfect fine weather was a welcome return to Auckland’s Courtney Letica following his serious crash at the previous round near Christchurch.

However his final race was dealt an early set-back when he clashed with Matt Halliday during the warm-up lap. With both cars puncturing the pair started from pit-lane with Letica finishing fifth overall for the final race.

Also dealt an early-race blow, team principal Shane McKillen was hit and spun, rejoining the rear of the field to eventually finish in 12th position.

Damage-free, the five Porsche cars will undergo extensive preparation ahead of next weekend’s fourth round being held at Timaru (23-24 January 2010).

Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge 2009/2010 points after round three (of six) - top-nine.

Pos Car No. Name Hometown Total

1 1 Craig Baird Queensland 793
2 21 Matt Halliday USA 707
3 3 Daniel Gaunt Auckland 666
4 9 Jonny Reid Auckland 619
5 8 David Reynolds Melbourne 584
6 82 Andrew Bagnall Auckland 447
7 96 Anthony Pedersen Rotorua 394
8 5 Courtney Letica Auckland 394
9 2 Shane McKillen Auckland 388

Pole in Porsche for Triple X

2010-01-16T14:46:00.000+13:00

Triple X Motorsport driver David Reynolds has set fastest time in qualifying for this weekend’s third round of the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge at Invercargill’s Teretonga circuit.

Driving the Indian’s bar Hampsta Porsche 997, Reynolds time of 57.854 seconds around the 2.61 kilometre circuit was 0.007 second faster than team-mate and current championship leader Craig Baird (MNZM) in the ZM Mad Butcher car.

From the second row behind his team-mates, Daniel Gaunt in the Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997 starts from fourth position.

“I was very lucky to get pole I think,” said Melbourne based Reynolds. “The track conditions have changed considerably since yesterday with the weather and other cars making it different. I expected to go a lot quicker, but of course am happy to be on pole and to give myself the best chance to win the first race.”

For Baird, he says the afternoon Mad Butcher 100 kilometre race hinges a lot around the compulsory pit-stop to remove and replace two tyres on the car.

“Whoever does the better stop will win the race,” said the 39-year old ex-pat Kiwi. “I’ll rely on me for the start and I’ll rely on the team for the stop.”

The first time behind the wheel since his accident at Ruapuna late in November, Auckland’s Courtney Letica set seventh fastest time in the Altherm Porsche 997 – just ahead of team principal Shane McKillen in the brand-new VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche.

Often affected by weather extremes, mild conditions at Teretonga are expected to prevail, with increasing wind the only expected variation to the race that starts at 5:25pm.

Qualifying results Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge: CRC 200 at Teretonga (16 January 2010) - top eight.

Pos No. Name Best time
1 8 David Reynolds, Triple X, Melbourne 57.854
2 1 Craig Baird, Triple X, Gold Coast 57.861
3 21 Matt Halliday, USA 57.875
4 3 Daniel Gaunt, Triple X, Auckland 58.307
5 9 Jonny Reid, Auckland 58.311
6 32 Mitch Cunningham, Auckland 58.815
7 5 Courtney Letica, Triple X, Auckland 59.057
8 2 Shane McKillen, Triple X, Auckland 59.704

Three Toyota Triple X Motorsport drivers head for Invercargill

2010-01-12T18:34:00.000+13:00

Triple X Motorsport drivers Earl Bamber (Wanganui), Stefan Webling (New Plymouth) and Chris Wootton (Brisbane) start the five round Toyota Racing Series this weekend at Invercargill’s Teretonga Park Raceway (15-17 January).

The world’s most southern race venue, based eight kilometres west of the city, Teretonga’s 2.61 kilometre circuit begins the first full championship for the Auckland team, who run five Porsche 997 cars and a Suzuki Swift.

While Bamber and Webling have past experience in the Toyota cars, Wootton’s fresh experience in Asia ranks him as a top race place contender, bolstered by engineer Greg Wheeler, formerly with the Williams F1 Team and A1GP Malaysia.

“Having Earl as a team-mate is a great yardstick,” said 21-year-old Wootton. “I am looking forward to the challenge of racing against him and hopefully beating him!”

“The Toyota Racing Series gives us a chance to race across the summer and prepare for the remainder of the year. The schedule’s fantastic because we’re doing five events in a very short period of time.”

“Getting seat time and race miles are critical to improving and the TRS will certainly provide that. Having tough inter-team competition will also ensure I am at the top of my game.”

Having never raced in New Zealand, each of two South Island and three North Island circuits will be new to the part-time personal trainer.

“I go in fairly blind in terms of the circuits we’ll be racing on as obviously I haven’t raced there before and I haven’t been able to get onto a computer simulation, but learning new circuits is something I enjoy and in reality, it’s part of the thrill of racing.”

“With the test drive in the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup car as the major prize – and outstanding prize money being offered right throughout the Series – it’s an excellent opportunity,” said Wootton of the incentive to win the New Zealand based series.

“There’s absolutely no doubt it’s going to be tough. The series from what I’ve seen is very similar to Formula BMW in that all the cars are very even, which makes for some close racing. From a sponsorship point of view, TRS is very well setup and you can take sponsors to the events and host them comfortably.”

Having won the 2009 New Zealand Grand Prix with driver Daniel Gaunt, team manager Ian McNabb says the Triple X Motorsport focus is on victory: “We’re intent on winning the overall title and defending the Grand Prix crown – giving each of the drivers as much experience as possible by sharing data. We’ve gone from dipping our toe in the water to a proper swim.”

A1 Team New Zealand mechanic Mark Pilcher will look after the three Triple X Motorsport Toyota cars that share technical expertise and management with a team that has cars contesting the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge and Suzuki Swift Sport Cup.

With the series officially starting on Friday 15 January, the Toyota trio will have two 30 minute practise sessions before Saturday’s race weekend qualifying. Championship point scoring starts with a 16-lap race Saturday afternoon, Southland's 16-lap historic "spirit of a nation" trophy race Sunday morning and a 12-lap finale that afternoon.

The second round follows a week later, held at Timaru’s Levels raceway (22-24 January).

Baird to extend Porsche lead for Triple X

2010-01-12T08:53:00.001+13:00

Currently first and second overall in the 2009/2010 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Auckland’s five car Triple X Motorsport team head to the often extreme weather location of Invercargill for the second-half of the championship season this weekend (15-17 January).

The third of six rounds on the championship calendar and the first of two back to back race weekends, Teretonga, the world’s most southern race venue, has been dominated by the Triple X Motorsport squad for the last two years.

With the goal of placing three of their cars again in the top-three overall, championship leader Craig Baird says the team’s third event at Teretonga is to again focus on winning. Announced in the New Year honours list for services to motorsport, Baird, driving the #1 Mad Butcher/ZM Porsche 997, has a 102 point lead over team-mate Daniel Gaunt driving the #3 Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997.

“We didn’t have a great last round – with the weather opposite to the tyre strategy. But in saying that I came away with a bigger points lead in the championship – extending further from Matt Halliday.”

“The weather is probably more of a factor at Teretonga; it’s known for glorious weather, pouring rain and cold. We’ve got the team around us to make the best of any situation, but putting more wins on the board is up there,” added Baird.

His first race event since the New Year honours announcement, the 39-year-old ex-pat Kiwi says the award topped a very special year that he’d like to extend with a sixth Porsche title.

Joining Baird and Gaunt in the quest for a podium lock-out, Melbourne’s David Reynolds will again drive the ex- Mike Morton #8 Hampsta/Indians Bar Porsche 997. Returning to the team for the Ruapuna weekend, Reynolds won all three races to move from last in the standings to currently sit seventh overall.

Another making a return, Auckland 21-year-old Courtney Letica has received the necessary medical clearance following his crash in qualifying at Ruapuna.

Suffering concussion and a fracture in his left ankle, he missed the three races to drop him from third overall to 12th after the second round.

Letica, needing to replace the #5 Altherm Porsche 997 that was heavily damaged, will drive the car relinquished by team principal Shane McKillen, who has purchased a brand new 2009 model 997.

The new #2 VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997 will allow McKillen to continue from his 11th overall in the points standing with three races on the programme around the 2.61 kilometre race circuit.

Following the journey from Auckland to Invercargill, the team have an early start to the weekend with the addition of three Toyota Racing Series cars to the stable of five Porsches and a Suzuki Swift.

Two test sessions on the Friday precede hot-lap rides for competition winners and team business partners. With qualifying on Saturday morning, racing begins with the Mad Butcher 100 kilometre race in the late afternoon. Including a compulsory pit-stop, there is also the incentive of a doubled points offer for the winner.

With the Porsche wheel attached by a single wheel-nut, the pit-stop tyre change can be completed quickly, however rules stipulate the wheel nut must be check torqued following its tightening by the gas-powered impact gun. With only two people allowed to do the task, they must also reinstall the wheel-nut safety clip before it is lowered from the in-board air-jacks and allowed to re-join the race. Taking approximately 25 seconds to complete, the process can be the difference between a win and a placing.

Sunday returns to the sprint format, with a 12-lap race late morning, followed by the afternoon top-six reverse grid 16-lap finale.

Chasing for a total of 300 points spread across the three races, drivers need to be mindful of limited time and resources to repair/prepare before the next race at Timaru a week later (22-24 January).

Triple X Motorsport driver line-up:

Car number 1: Craig Baird (Mad Butcher/ ZM Porsche 997) – first overall 2008/2009 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
Car number 2: Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997)
Car number 3: Daniel Gaunt (Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997) – third overall 2008/2009 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
Car number 5: Courtney Letica (Altherm Porsche 997)
Car number 8: David Reynolds (Indians Bar/Hampsta Porsche 997) – second overall 2008/2009 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge.

Points: 2009/2010 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge – top 11 after round two.

Pos, car, driver, home, points
1 1 Craig Baird (Triple X) Queensland 546
2 3 Daniel Gaunt (Triple X) Auckland 444
3 9 Matt Halliday USA 436
4 21 Jonny Reid Auckland 430
5 96 Anthony Pedersen Rotorua 394
6 32 Mitch Cunningham Auckland 306
7 82 David Reynolds (Triple X) Melbourne 300
8 5 Andrew Bagnall Auckland 288
9 8 Simon McLennan Wellington 242
10 26 Simon Evans Auckland 238
11 11 Shane McKillen (Triple X) Auckland 237

What the team have been up to

2010-01-10T12:32:00.004+13:00

During the first week of the 2010 New Year members of the Triple X Motorsport team have been doing a variety of activities in the build-up to the race weekend at Teretonga mid-January.

Craig Baird: Following his announcement of being included in the 2010 New Year honours list, Craig has been on holiday in New Zealand with his family – including a stint camping. Never far from a steering wheel, his bug for racing at speedway in the weekend fell short when he was unable to secure the necessary licence. Now his focus is joining the team for the two-in-two races – with family in tow.

Dan Gaunt: Trying for time-out building up to his gigantic year to be, Dan admits to thinking slightly about his V8 Supercar season ahead of maintaining his podium position in the New Zealand Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge standings. As chauffeur in bringing one of the four Triple X Motorsport transport vehicles to the South Island, he is part of the crew travelling Auckland to Invercargill and return. Via Queenstown of course.

David Reynolds: Returning to Melbourne after a few days with family, David has been rather serious. Repeated and long bike rides are David’s claim to Tour de France training ahead of his New Zealand visit where he’s planning on leap-frogging competition in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge to help the team to another one-two-three.

Courtney Letica: A very busy time recuperating following the late November accident at Ruapuna, Courtney has been on light work duties followed by plenty of physio – allowing for a full doctors clearance to resume racing.

Shane McKillen and Michael Morton: Have both been on Waiheke Island for the past week with their respective family groups enjoying boating, fishing and catch-up time with people they don’t get to see during their hectic schedules.

Todd, Lance, Adam: Met in Palmerston North just after New Year to spend a couple days at the Bamber’s Wanganui Safari Park helping out with their animal management – whilst getting to know the family behind the team’s Toyota driver: Earl. Whilst there were some occasions where scenes of ‘Rambo’ were re-enacted, it was a very productive time for all before a change of clothes and resumption of the journey south.

Ian: Like Dan, his adopted and potentially biological son, Ian has been taking a little time-out from a year that ended with three Toyota Racing Series cars being added to his management plan. Joining the convoy south, he intends laying low as part of a strategy to unveil what the race weekend strategy will be.

Timo: Following a New Year holiday in Whangamata with his children, Timo has been nose to the grindstone (linishing belt actually), before locking his car preparation workshop and joining the team for the two-week South Island trip.

Mark: Our Harry has been a little sneaky, arriving in to Queenstown a little earlier than the rest of the team he’s been making himself conspicuous by his absence. A fancy explanation for being on holiday, he has been spying on competition to his mountain bike park, enjoying the wannabe talent at work.

Gareth and Peter: Have both been good little boys and kept South Canterbury Toyota in full swing by maintaining their presence during the holiday season. The good news is they get time off for good behaviour to join the team for the two weekends of racing.

Adrian: Last and never least, Cosmo has been MIA in Adelaide - something to do with the extreme heat.

Triple X driver Baird named in New Year honours list

2009-12-31T08:24:00.001+13:00

Triple X Motorsport Porsche driver Craig Baird has been named in the 2010 New Year honours list for services to motorsport.

Currently on holiday north of Auckland, the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi says today’s announcement is a humbling acknowledgment of his 21 New Zealand motor race championship titles.

“This is the sort of thing you joke about as a kid to one day be named by the Queen – so for her to regard what I’ve done is an honour in itself,” he said.

“It’s been a very special year, not only cracking the 21 championship title mark, but to also be awarded the prestigious Jim Clark Trophy and a Special Citation Award at the Motorsport New Zealand awards dinner in May was a pretty big deal.”

With his first New Zealand title aged 15, Baird has a long and illustrious motor-race career in many classes and countries around the world. Currently the leader in the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge driving for Auckland based Triple X Motorsport, Baird also races in the NZ V8 series for father-in-law Gary Pedersen.

Occasionally joined track-side by wife Louise and his two children, Baird thanks all those around him who have helped him along the way.

“We all know and keep saying it’s a team sport – and that is so true. Without my wife behind me and the likes of Triple X Motorsport I wouldn’t be adding championship titles and be recognised in such a special way.”

Thrilled to hear the news, Triple X Motorsport entertainment director Michael Morton says the team always look forward to working with Baird and his family and today’s announcement reinforces what they aim to achieve:

“It’s a very special moment for the team and everyone involved. To be recognised for his professionalism and past results puts a cap on what has been a great year for Craig. Success breeds success and there is no doubt you need to have the right people around you – especially when you’re starting a new team and want to bring drivers through. Craig has the perfect blend of personality, professionalism and work/life balance that helps us get on and deliver results.”

Preparing for the 2010 leg of the summer championship season, Baird and the Triple X Motorsport team head south in the early New Year for two back-to-back race weekends starting with Teretonga 15 January, followed by Timaru 22-24 January.

Triple X sign Bamber, Webling and Australian Wootton for Toyota Racing Series

2009-12-29T13:49:00.000+13:00

Auckland based Triple X Motorsport have confirmed drivers Earl Bamber (Wanganui) Stefan Webling (New Plymouth) and Chris Wootton (Brisbane) have joined their team to contest the five-round Toyota Racing Series starting mid-January in Invercargill.

Following victory in the 2009 New Zealand Grand Prix that helped elevate Daniel Gaunt to a full-time V8 Supercar position, the team expands its line-up to contest the full championship season. Former A1GP Malaysia and Formula one engineer Greg Wheeler will provide technical expertise to a team headed by A1 Team New Zealand mechanic Mark Pilcher.

In a deal that puts A1GP driver Bamber back in the Toyota series, the 19-year-old will drive the Mad Butcher sponsored Toyota FT40 open-wheel car that won the 2009 New Zealand Grand Prix.

Finishing second behind Daniel Gaunt in that race, Bamber says his decision to join Triple X Motorsport was based on a number of factors that included past performance.

"When they came and did the Grand Prix earlier this year and won it as a one-off event - they showed they have the right personnel and team to do the job," said Bamber.

"I think the team's attitude to winning races, championships and trophies - no matter what sort of car is what I'm all about - I also want to race cars and win races."

"Plus they have Mark Pilcher who I worked with in the A1 team - so there is good continuity already."

"Obviously the goal for the season is to win the championship, having finished second last time. So we're out to go one better and retain the New Zealand Grand Prix title for the team as well."

For 21-year-old Stefan Webling, the Toyota Racing Series is a step forward having finished third in last season's Formula Ford series. Bolstering his early links with the team, where he was supported by team partner VnC Cocktails, Webling is also supported by Horizon Energy Services Ltd and Miles Toyota, Christchurch.

"We considered other options," said Webling of his decision to join the team. "We know Triple X are a front running team which was proven by winning the Grand Prix last year so it was the best decision for us. Plus also having the opportunity to run beside international drivers made it a really good package."

Having raced the wings and slicks Toyota at Hamilton earlier this year, Webling's performance at the tricky venue has him confident for the coming season: "Obviously rookie of the year is our main aim. While it will be a learning year we are going for results - not only for the team, but ourselves."

Adding to the international dimension of the Toyota Racing Series, Chris Wootton, a 21-year-old from Brisbane, joins the team as a front-runner from the Formula BMW Asia/Pacific series that Bamber won in 2006.

With aspirations of Formula One, Wootton says his goal of racing in Europe in 2010 requires continual race fitness - on offer during the off-season with New Zealand's Toyota Racing Series programme.

Following two seasons of racing in the Formula BMW Pacific Series, Chris is continuing a family racing heritage that now treks trans-Tasman for a first visit to New Zealand.

With the series officially starting on Friday 15 January, the trio will have two 30 minute practise sessions at the world’s most southern race venue – Teretonga, near Invercargill. Accumulated data will be used to hone driver tactic and car setup ahead of Saturday’s qualifying for the first of three races around the 2.61 kilometre circuit. Southland's historic "spirit of a nation" trophy is also contested in the weekends feature race.

The series then moves on to the second round the following weekend at Timaru raceway.

Calendar 2010 Toyota Racing Series:
Round Date Venue
1 (International) 15-17 January 2010 Teretonga
2 (International) 22-24 January 2010 Timaru
3 (International) 5-7 February 2010 Hampton Downs
4 (International) 12-14 February 2010 Manfeild (NZGP)
5 (Final) 19-21 March 2010 Taupo

Triple X Motorsport driver Gaunt signs for V8 Supercar series

2009-12-22T21:21:00.000+13:00

Auckland based Triple X Motorsport driver Daniel Gaunt has been signed to race in multi-year V8 Supercar deal with Lucas Dumbrell Racing.

Currently second overall in the 2009/2010 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge driving the Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997, 24-year-old Gaunt will drive the former V8 Supercar championship winning Holden of Garth Tander. With the V8 series expected to kick-off in Dubai one week after Gaunt’s penultimate round of the Porsche Cup, he will return to complete his Triple X season that ends at Taupo mid-March.

Having contested the Fujitsu V8 Supercar series with McElrea Racing in 2009, team director Michael Morton says Gaunt has again been able to launch from Triple X Motorsport to the ultimate in driver openings.

“This is one of those opportunities many spend their lives chasing. From Triple X Motorsport where Daniel has won the New Zealand Grand Prix and placed third in last season’s Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, he has been able to add full-time V8 Supercar driver to his CV,” he said.

“It is the aim of the team to foster younger drivers so they can spring-board to other opportunities – giving greater exposure for the Triple X Motorsport partners such as Mad Butcher.”

Gaunt gets his first look at the car late in January after he has completed the two back-to-back Porsche race weekends in the South Island. Currently hands-on with preparations for the team to depart for the South Island in the early New Year, Gaunt says it has been a whirl-wind week that brought the deal together.

“It’s come about so quickly – right when we are very busy here at Triple X Motorsport getting ready for the South Island tour.”

“Triple X are about fun and getting results – it makes you feel good about racing. That opens opportunities like it has with V8 Supercars, so getting the deal together was a team effort, for a lifetime opportunity with Lucas Dumbrell Racing.”

For Dumbrell, Gaunt seemed the obvious choice given his results in the past season: “I’ve been aware of Daniel’s performance – and not just in tin-top cars. So he’s versatile and someone I can work with – especially when you’re putting a team together for the long haul,” said Dumbrell from his newly established team base in Melbourne, Australia.

Having recently acquired a franchise licence to gain entry to the V8 Supercar series, Dumbrell is overseeing the entire operation – to launch early in 2010.

Reynolds takes third Porsche win for Triple X

2009-11-29T18:26:00.001+13:00

V8 Supercar driver David Reynolds has taken his third successive victory at this weekend’s second round of the New Zealand Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series, leading his Triple X team to a one-two for the Ruapuna weekend.

Having not driven a Porsche race car since finishing second overall in the previous season standings, the 24-year-old Melbourne race car driver made a late return, beating his championship leading team-mate in both of today’s sprint races to second.

Driving the Hampsta/Indians Bar Porsche 997, Reynolds won the late Sunday morning ten-lap, using two new tyres in a weather strategy that put him well ahead of the 14-car field.

Second, Craig Baird in the Mad Butcher ZM car had an opposite strategy, saving his tyre allocation for the afternoon top-six reverse grid race – planning to optimise his chances for a dry track.

While the weather had improved from Saturday’s wet race, conditions changed early in the afternoon that saw a return of the rain just as the cars started the 14-lap top-six reverse-grid finale. Starting from pole position, Daniel Gaunt in the Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997 was overtaken by Reynolds in the run to the first turn, settling for third in the early stages. As the rain continued to fall, officials declared an early finish, rather than force teams to switch to wet-weather tyres.

“I got a fantastic start,” said Reynolds of his race. “That new carbon clutch in the car is almost like starting a V8 Supercar. The race panned out well; I went round the outside at the first corner, put my head down, pulled a gap and played it smart. Halliday, who was behind me, went off briefly and that gave me an even better gap – so I could relax and just concentrate on bringing it home.”

Starting from dead-last in the championship, Reynolds is now placed seventh having missed the first three races in the new season: “It’s unfortunate I missed the first round – but the idea is to end up on the podium before the finish, helping the Triple X Team to another championship one-two-three by winning as many races I can.”

Extending his lead overall, defending champion Craig Baird has a 102 point lead over second placed and team-mate Daniel Gaunt.

“I could only just hang on to the car out there, so concentrated on just finishing – it’s too early in the championship to take risks when I was going to extend my position,” said Baird in transition from his Porsche to the V8 he is also campaigning this season.

“We had a tyre strategy for the reverse-grid race so to see the rain was really disappointing, but it’s great to have David back and help the team again in the championship.”

Finishing eighth this morning, team principal Shane McKillen in the VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997 started just behind David Reynolds in the final race – finishing tenth in poor visibility.

A ninth in the morning race by Christchurch car dealer Paul Kelly, a switch to wet-weather tyres during the first lap of the afternoon race allowed him to climb from last to seventh.

Following yesterday’s crash in qualifying, Auckland’s Courtney Letica remains in Christchurch hospital, under observation for concussion and is receiving treatment for a lower-leg fracture.

Wishing the 21-year-old a speedy recovery, the team have been making repairs to his Altherm Porsche 997 to allow transport to the Auckland based workshop. Packing the remaining five cars, the Triple X Motorsport team will return to the South Island early in the New Year for two successive weekends’ of racing, starting with Teretonga near Invercargill January 15-17, and then Timaru January 22-24.

# # #

Points: Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge – top 11 after round of two.

Pos, car, driver, home, points
1 1 Craig Baird – Triple X - Queensland 546
2 3 Daniel Gaunt – Triple X - Auckland 444
3 9 Matt Halliday USA 436
4 21 Jonny Reid Auckland 430
5 96 Anthony Pedersen Rotorua 394
6 32 Mitch Cunningham Auckland 306
7 82 David Reynolds – Triple X - Melbourne 300
8 5 Andrew Bagnall Auckland 285
9 8 Simon McLennan Wellington 242
10 26 Simon Evans Auckland 238
11 11 Shane McKillen – Triple X - Auckland 237

Reynolds wins Porsche race for Triple X

2009-11-28T19:58:00.000+13:00

From pole position, Melbourne’s David Reynolds has won today’s Mad Butcher 100 kilometre Porsche race at Ruapuna Park Raceway near Christchurch, despite harrowing pressure from defending series champion and current points leader Craig Baird.

The second round of the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series, Reynolds in the Hampsta/Indians Bar Porsche 997 was overtaken at the quarter-mark by Triple X Motorsport team-mate Craig Baird, in the Mad Butcher/ZM Porsche. However, a slow exit by Baird during the compulsory pit-stop returned Reynolds to the lead, while the Queensland based Kiwi fought hard to reduce the deficit to within 0.283 of a second at the chequered flag.

“I was probably pushing too hard for the amount of grip I had,” admitted Reynolds at only just snaring victory.

“Craig is very fast around here and I was lucky the way it turned out. The pit-stop was good, my in and out laps were okay and I held the gap – although one more lap I would have either speared off or Craig would have gotten past.”

Scoring his first points for the six round championship season, Reynolds places 12th following the double-points race this afternoon, while Baird extends his overall lead.

Making it a team one-two-three for the first few laps of the race, Daniel Gaunt in the Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997 later lost his track advantage, with a badly flat spotted tyre, finishing sixth to maintain a comfortable second in the overall standings.

“I had a good start, but got a bit ahead of myself and made an unfortunate mistake early on while staying with David and Craig. I locked the left-front wheel at turn-one on lap five, before doing it again at the same spot on the tyre that took it through to the canvas. So either I pitted early and faced two stops or stayed out and lost some track position,” said the 24-year-old.
Team principal Shane McKillen finished seventh in the VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997, pleased with the outcome despite being spun around by a chasing competitor and having to make two pitstops, one for a puncture and the other his compulsory stop.

Christchurch’s Paul Kelly had a nightmare start to his weekend. After spinning off on the third lap the Paul Kelly Motor Company Porsche 997 failed to restart, with a faulty battery.
Expecting improving weather for Sunday’s two races, the weekend concludes with the top-six reverse grid 14-lap race mid-afternoon.

Results: Race one – the Mad Butcher 100 Ruapuna 28 November (top-ten)
1 8 David Reynolds – Triple X 42:44.074
2 1 Craig Baird – Triple X +0.283
3 21 Matt Halliday +12.046
4 9 Jonny Reid +26.918
5 96 Ant Pedersen +27.368
6 3 Daniel Gaunt – Triple X +50.936
7 2 Shane McKillen – Triple X +1 Lap
8 26 Simon McLennan +1 Lap
9 11 Simon Evans +2 Laps
10 82 Andrew Bagnall +3 Laps

Reynolds tops Porsche qualifying

2009-11-28T19:57:00.000+13:00

Triple X Motorsport driver David Reynolds has made a storming return to the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series by setting fastest time in today’s qualifying for the second round of the championship.

Dreary wet conditions held during the late morning session at the Ruapuna Park circuit near Christchurch didn’t dampen the ability of the Melbourne based V8 Supercar driver. Reynolds, in the Hampsta/Indians Bar Porsche 997 beat current series leader and team-mate Craig Baird (Mad Butcher/ZM Porsche 997) by nearly half a second.

“It’s great; to not have driven these cars for so long and get pole is pretty awesome and good for the team. Although I really thought I was done for after giving the tyres a hard time in the morning practise,” said Reynolds.

“I was stressing a fair bit I’d damaged them and they’d be no good. So during the session I just hoped they’d clean up, not knowing what grip level they’d provide. And while edges had been taken away, the car setup wasn’t too bad for the conditions. Even though I did make some mistakes on my good lap – I was very surprised to be told I had fastest time. To be honest, I could have done better - It was just about relaxing, driving it smooth, drive it on the limit and minimise the over steer.”

Having locked out the front row of the afternoon Mad Butcher 100 kilometre race, the pair will be followed by Daniel Gaunt in the Hampsta/Placemakers Porsche 997 from the second row, for three Triple X Motorsport cars in the top-four.

Starting six cars from the pit-side paddock, the team were knocked to five when rookie driver Courtney Letica slid from the greasy track on his first full lap of the 3.33 kilometre circuit. Impacting with the embankment, Letica’s Altherm Porsche 997 gained speed on the wet grass, contacting awkwardly with the front-left corner. The 21-year-old sustained concussion from the accident, disappointed following a strong opening round at Pukekohe earlier this month.
Team principal Shane McKillen set tenth fastest time in the VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997 with Christchurch local Paul Kelly 11th, saying he just wanted to set a clean lap in difficult conditions.

Expecting continually improving weather conditions, the afternoon race starts at 5:30pm, with the 100 kilometres and 29-laps expected to take 40 minutes to complete.

Reynolds returns to Porsche race series

2009-11-27T14:32:00.001+13:00

Melbourne based V8 Supercar driver David Reynolds has confirmed his immediate return to Triple X Motorsport to contest the remaining five rounds of the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series.

Making a last-minute trip across the Tasman for this weekend’s second round of the championship at Ruapuna, near Christchurch, Reynolds will drive the car previously campaigned by Mad Butcher CEO Michael Morton.

Date clashes between the V8 Supercar and New Zealand based summer race series meant Reynolds couldn’t previously commit, however changes to his Australian programme allowed him to negotiate a weekend pass.

“My V8 Supercar entry is pretty uncertain at the moment; the team has known I wanted to do the New Zealand championship as well and with things up in the air believed I could try both,” said the 24-year-old as he completed seat adjustments to drive the #8 Hampsta/Indians Bar Porsche 997.

“I love the Triple X team, these Porsche cars and I have a really good time. It gives me something to do in the off season, January/February when everyone else is training and I’m out there racing. Plus it’s good to keep my mind sharp and keep focussed,” he added.

Having not raced a Porsche since finishing runner-up to Triple X Motorsport team-mate Craig Baird in last year’s championship, Reynolds says he has some catch-up to do: “I want to get used to my car this weekend. Last year I got bumped off by Craig here at Ruapuna, so I want to make amends to that – do a bit better job.”

With the Triple X Motorsport team currently first, second and third in the standings after the opening round, Reynolds says additional competition from former A1GP drivers Jonny Reid and Matt Halliday adds to his focus.

“I’ve never raced against either of them before in a Porsche. And though Craig won the first two races this season, I’ve beaten Craig previously.”

Expecting the fine warm weather to pass in the build-up to the weekend of race action at Ruapuna, Reynolds has two practise sessions today before qualifying for tomorrow’s Mad Butcher 100 kilometre race in the afternoon.

Sunday returns to the sprint format, with a ten-lap race late morning, followed by the afternoon top-six reverse grid 14-lap finale.

Porsche titan team-mates to clash at Ruapuna

2009-11-24T08:47:00.001+13:00

Porsche Championship leading Triple X Motorsport is expecting the second round at Christchurch’s Powerbuilt Tools Ruapuna Raceway to be an internal quest of dominance this coming weekend (28-29 November).

Currently first, second and third in the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge standings after the first round, the Auckland based defending title champions and five-car team have an early march on the 16-car field.

Headed by Queensland based Kiwi Craig Baird in the #1 ZM/Mad Butcher Porsche 997 on 285 points, he has a 30 point buffer over Auckland’s Daniel Gaunt, who says the technical nature of the Ruapuna circuit makes it the most challenging of the six-round series.

“It’s a very tough track to piece the perfect lap together. For instance a lot of the corners lead in to other corners, so if you’re too greedy on one you have a bit to make up on the next one. So it’s a very give-and-take circuit you have to think about to get a good lap,” said the 24-year old driver of the #3 Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997.

Gaunt highlights the driving style of team-mate and championship leader Craig Baird as perfectly suited to the mid-Canterbury circuit. Run clock-wise and 3.33 kilometres in length, it’s largely flat nature has a variety of left and right corners of varying styles that exercises driver skill.

“Bairdo seems to be extremely quick at Ruapuna, more so than anywhere else. It just suits his driving style and I think he will be the benchmark again this weekend. So to me the best pick is to follow that style and put my neck on the block. He is tough to beat and if there is a year I want to do it more than ever it’s this year, so I’m not content with second at all. I want to win some races and I’d like that to start with Ruapuna – even by taking a few more risks.”

Third, from his best ever race weekend in the series, Auckland 21-year-old Courtney Letica in the #5 Altherm Porsche 997, rose above internationals Jonny Reid and Matt Halliday at the season opener. Making sizable gains in performance from the data shared by team-mates Baird and Gaunt, Letica doesn’t have as much experience at Ruapuna following his first Porsche drive there ending badly.

Team principal and Auckland businessman Shane McKillen (#2 VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997) suffered from a first race bump at Pukekohe that bent his rear suspension. Ever since, he has been on the back-foot to catch-up the deficit from the double-points season-opening race. Trailing team entertainment manager Mike Morton (#8 Hampsta/Indians Bar Porsche 997) overall, the pair are more 170 points behind their younger front-runners.

Additionally, making for six cars, Christchurch’s Paul Kelly will run the #90 Porsche 997 from the Triple X Motorsport pit-side area, sharing in the team’s expertise for the car dealership owner.

Starting with two practise sessions on Friday, the day ends with hot-laps for promotion competition winners before Saturday morning’s qualifying session just prior to the lunch break.
The race action is headlined by the ‘Mad Butcher 100’ on Saturday afternoon. The 100 kilometre race features a compulsory pit-stop where two tyres on the car must be changed.

While the Porsche uses a single wheel nut, making the change quick, rules stipulate the wheel nut must be check torqued following its tightening by the gas-powered impact gun. With only two people allowed to do the task, they must also reinstall the wheel-nut safety clip before it is lowered from the in-board air-jacks and allowed to re-join the race. Taking approximately 20 seconds to complete, the race can be won or lost in the process with the finish margin between Baird and Gaunt at the end of the first 100 kilometre race a mere 0.377 seconds.

Sunday returns to the sprint format, with a ten-lap race late morning, followed by the afternoon top-six reverse grid 14-lap finale.

Chasing for a total of 300 points spread across the three races, it also concludes the final event for 2009, before a two-in-two weekend journey between Timaru and Invercargill in mid-January.

Weekend race programme for Porsche GT3 Cup cars – Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna Park, Hasketts Rd.

Friday 27 November
12:00 Porsche GT3 Cup - test session 1
15:45 Porsche GT3 Cup - test session 2

Saturday 28 November
12:05 20mins Porsche GT3 Cup – qualifying
17:30 Porsche GT3 Cup - Race 1 - 29laps

Sunday 29 November
11:40 Porsche GT3 Cup - Race 2 - 10laps
15:55 Porsche GT3 Cup- Race 3 - 14laps - Top 6 reverse

Win and championship lead for Porsche team

2009-11-08T17:15:00.000+13:00

Triple X Motorsport has won the opening round of the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge at Pukekohe this weekend with race winner Craig Baird leading the five car team to secure three cars in the top three spots.

Following a dramatic race win during the Mad Butcher 100 on Saturday afternoon, Baird secured a double during the Sunday morning 12-lap sprint race.
Starting from fifth position for the afternoon 16-lap top-six reverse grid race, Baird finished third behind Matt Halliday and Jonny Reid to lead his team to one-two-three in the championship standings.

“We had to look after our weekend points and series lead, to do anything else was not who we are,” said Baird after he climbed from the ZM Mad Butcher Porsche and straight in to his V8 Touring Car.

“Really as long as our top three cars came home in the top-six of the race we had the weekend and first round of the championship sewn up. We had a good buffer on everyone, but if we didn’t finish the afternoon race we’d be back with everyone else.”

Finishing behind Baird in all of the weekend races, Auckland based V8 Supercar driver Daniel Gaunt has a strong-hold on his championship placing behind the five-time defending champion Baird.

“I guess starting alongside Craig from the third row; it was always going to be a big ask to get ahead of the guys in front of us. But I think we picked off who we could and while I would have liked to get past Craig, you could see in the way I managed to detach his rear bumper, obviously not on purpose, we had a fast car for the race,” said the 24-year-old.

Third, well ahead of more internationally experienced drivers, 21-year-old business account manager Courtney Letica paid tribute to the Triple X Motorsport team and its experience in its third year of operation.

“This is exactly the reason I need to be with this team, I’m in a championship placing well ahead of my top-five plan,” he said. “With Craig and Daniel fighting for top positions I’m happy to tag along and learn while staying ahead of the opposition,” he said.

“A great start for the season; I’m very happy with the job the boys have done and couldn’t have asked for anything more. Having Jonny Reid and Matt Halliday next door has made the guys focus, lift their game and prove we are the team to beat this summer,” said team principal Shane McKillen, finishing the final race in seventh.

With three weeks until the next round of six in the season, the team have an island hopping journey to race the Big Ben 200 at Ruapuna near Christchurch (28-29 November).

Triple X team lock-out Pukekohe podium

2009-11-07T19:21:00.000+13:00

Today’s opening race in the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge has seen three of the five Triple X Motorsport cars lock-out the podium during the Mad Butcher 100 kilometre race at Pukekohe.

Starting from the front row, defending series champion Craig Baird (Mad Butcher/ ZM Porsche 997) battled with pole-sitter Matt Halliday for the majority of the 36-lap race, with the pit-stop the first chance for Baird to take advantage.

Instead the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi lost time but gained clear track, easing past a Halliday mistake and on to an emphatic race victory from team-mates Daniel Gaunt (Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997) with Courtney Letica (Altherm Porsche 997) third.

“If it was a sprint race I was going to try get my way and pass Matt. He was pretty adamant he wanted to keep the position as he kept trying to run me off the road, which is why he got the bad sportsmanship flag. So I thought being a long race and having practised our pit stops I could take my time a bit. But I ended up getting a dud stop which took us out of that challenging position and having to catch back up. But the car was mega fast – it was very very good and when Matt took himself out I backed off and just got it home to the end,” said Baird after Halliday drove in to the front wheel of a slower car.

For Letica, it was a result beyond his game-plan: “I was out to achieve a top consistent position and get points from the first race, anywhere from where I qualified in fifth and upwards was more than preferable,” said the 21 year-old Aucklander.

“Then I got in to a battle with Jonny Reid for a few laps before getting the better of him.”

Mad Butcher CEO Mike Morton in the Indians Bar/Hampsta Porsche 997 finished 11th while Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997) had a coming together in the opening laps. A knock to his rear wheel bent a rear suspension arm putting out the alignment.

Results: Mad Butcher 100 (Pukekohe 7 November 2009) – top ten
1 Craig Baird, Queensland, (Mad Butcher/ ZM Porsche 997) 36:17.936
2 Daniel Gaunt, Auckland, (Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997) +0.377
3 Courtney Letica, Auckland, (Altherm Porsche 997) +17.826
4 Jonny Reid +18.003
5 Anthony Pedersen +22.083
6 Mitch Cunningham +46.175
7 Matt Halliday +1 Lap
8 Andrew Bagnall +1lap 10.299
9 Hugh Gardiner +1lap 13.839

Baird on front row for Porsche race

2009-11-07T15:14:00.001+13:00

Opening the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge season at Pukekohe this weekend, defending champion Craig Baird qualified for a front-row start in the Triple X Motorsport ZM Mad Butcher Porsche 997.

Fastest in early race weekend practise, the Queensland based Kiwi set second fastest time, a 57.251 second lap around the 2.84 kilometre Pukekohe Park Raceway south of Auckland, to be 0.129sec behind pace-setter Matt Halliday.

Fastest of the five-car Auckland based Triple X Motorsport team, 39-year-old Baird isn’t concerned about starting on the outside at the first turn.

“That’s the race line, so starting from the left of the front row is the better result”, he said.

“I would have rather been fastest, but with the short session there were so many guys trying to beat you in to turn one when they came out of the pit lane on cold tyres I never got a clear lap.”

While Baird topped the time sheets for most of the session, the progressively dropping lap times saw team drivers Daniel Gaunt (Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997) and Courtney Letica (Altherm Porsche 997) feature in the top tier.

Finishing fourth fastest, Gaunt echoed Baird’s start position comment, noting the late afternoon race largely negates the emphasis placed on qualifying.

Fifth fastest, Courtney Letica headed team bosses Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997) and Mike Morton (Indians Bar/Hampsta Porsche 997), setting eighth and 13th fastest respectively.

Today’s first race is the Mad Butcher 100, a 100 kilometre enduro that features a compulsory pit-stop where teams have to remove and place two tyres on the car using only two people and minimal gear. With double championship points offered for the race, the stakes are considerably higher for the team by introducing the pit-stop concept.

Scheduled to start at 5pm, the 36 lap race is followed by two shorter sprint races on the Sunday (8 November).

Porsche champions return for three-peat

2009-11-03T12:26:00.001+13:00

Five-car Auckland based Porsche team Triple X Motorsport are eying a third successive championship title with the start of the 2009/10 seven round Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge at Pukekohe this weekend (7-8 November).

Having secured back-to-back Porsche titles after two seasons of operation, the team will again run defending champion Craig Baird, along with resident drivers Daniel Gaunt, Mike Morton, Shane McKillen and Courtney Letica.

Baird’s five consecutive crowns in the one-make race car series has pushed the 39-year-old to 21 outright New Zealand titles – a benchmark he wants to extend.

“That’s always the plan. I still believe at the end of the day you have to have everything working for you, and that includes the people around you doing the preparation, we’ve certainly proven that in the past,” said Baird, a Queensland based Kiwi.

With a field of 14 teams entered for the opening round, Baird says it’s good to see old and new faces in the line-up, including arch rival Matt Halliday and new recruit Jonny Reid.

“I think one of the most refreshing things is having Jonny Reid in there. People rate him as one of the top New Zealand young-guns. I’ve raced Halliday in four different Porsche championships and I’ve won all of them, so he’s a known quantity. The biggest threat to me I think is Jonny Reid, as I haven’t raced against him. He did well on the international stage in the A1 Grand Prix car, so it will be interesting to see how someone like that goes in identical equipment to the rest of the field. And if you look at the records, Jonny Reid was quicker than Halliday in the A1 car,” he added.

A change to the race weekend programme features the ‘Mad Butcher 100’ kilometre race on the Saturday, including a compulsory pit-stop. That is followed by a 12-lap race on Sunday morning and the top-six reverse grid 16-lap race in the afternoon. Baird doesn’t expect that will alter the tactics of winning a championship title: “It doesn’t matter what the race format is like, you’ll generally always find the cream will rise to the top and make the best of any situation, although the team now plays a bigger role in the Saturday race than normal with the pitstop,” he said.

While Baird has been racing internationally in a variety of categories, team-mate and from third position in last season’s championship, Daniel Gaunt is one round away from completing the Fujitsu V8 Supercar series. Gaunt’s best result has been a second overall at the recent Bathurst weekend.

Auckland business moguls Shane McKillen and Mike Morton have spent time pre-season completing test sessions while last year’s rookie Courtney Letica has been evaluating data to improve on his 11^th championship placing.

As they all start the weekend with clean time-sheets, qualifying on Saturday morning is the first step toward a 75-point haul on offer for a race win – with diminishing value for lesser placings.

In a season that starts at the 2.841 kilometre long, South Auckland Pukekohe Park Raceway, the seven championship rounds include three in the South Island (Ruapuna, Teretonga, Timaru), along with Manfeild and Taupo before a season finale at the Hamilton V8 Supercar weekend in mid-April.

# # #

Triple X Motorsport driver line-up:

Car number 1: Craig Baird (Mad Butcher/ ZM Porsche 997) – first overall 2008/2009 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
Car number 2: Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails/Juice Bar Porsche 997)
Car number 3: Daniel Gaunt (Placemakers/Hampsta Porsche 997) – third overall 2008/2009 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
Car number 5: Courtney Letica (Altherm Porsche 997)
Car number 8: Mike Morton (Indians Bar/Hampsta Porsche 997)

Weekend race programme for Porsche GT3 Cup cars – Pukekohe Park Raceway, Manukau Road, Pukekohe.

Friday 6 November

12:30 - Porsche GT3 Cup - test session 1
15:50 - Porsche GT3 Cup - test session 2

Saturday 7 November

12:30 - 20mins Porsche GT3 Cup – qualifying
17:00 - Porsche GT3 Cup - Race 1 - 36laps (2.841km circuit = 102.3km)

Sunday 8 November

11:35 - Porsche GT3 Cup - Race 2 - 12laps
15:05 - Porsche GT3 Cup- Race 3 - 16laps - Top 6 reverse

Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Championship 2009-2010
Round - Date - Venue
1 6-8 November 2009 Pukekohe
2 27-29 November 2009 Ruapuna
3 15-17 January 2010 Teretonga
4 22-24 January 2010 Timaru
5 12-14 February 2010 Manfeild
6 19-21 March 2010 Taupo
7 16-18 April 2010 Hamilton 400
Endurance Event TBC May/June 2010 Hampton Downs

Triple X Motorsport driver lands V8 Supercar drive

2009-08-28T10:52:00.000+12:00

Triple X Motorsport team driver Daniel Gaunt has been named in the 2009 V8 Supercar enduro line-up with Stone Brothers Racing.

Having finished third overall in the 2008/09 New Zealand Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge and winning the 2009 New Zealand Grand Prix, Gaunt has been racing a SBR supported Falcon in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar series with McElrea Racing.

Growing from the close ties between each of the teams, 24-year-old Gaunt was given the nod to co-pilot the IRWIN Racing Falcon for the Phillip Island and Bathurst V8 Supercar enduro events. He will then return for the New Zealand summer race series in a Porsche 997 with Triple X Motorsport.

“It’s a great tie between each of the teams that has allowed Daniel to progress,” said Triple X Motorsport co-owner Mike Morton. “It shows from our team support at investing in young talent we can mutually benefit – we now have a stepping stone from a Triple X Porsche 997 into a V8 Supercar. When Daniel has completed this year’s Fujitsu V8 Supercar series and SBR enduro drive, he’ll be championship ready for the New Zealand Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge season with Triple X.”

Announced by SBR team principal Ross Stone, Gaunt will join fellow Kiwi’s John McIntyre and team regular Shane Van Gisbergen, with team-mate Alex Davison the only non-New Zealand driver in the team.

Gaunt will contest the Queensland round of the Fujitsu series (21-23 August) before the L&H 500 at Phillip Island (11-13 September) and the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 (8-11 October). His New Zealand season with the Triple X Motorsport team starts 6 November at Pukekohe.

Baird honoured at Motorsport awards

2009-05-27T13:13:00.000+12:00

Championship winning Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird has been honoured at the annual MotorSport New Zealand awards last Saturday evening.

Baird scooped the prestigious Jim Clark Trophy, a Special Citation Award and his unprecedented fifth consecutive NZ Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge title.

Baird’s citation was ‘in recognition of being New Zealand motorsport’s most prolific and successful racing driver’ – a position backed up with statistics that rank him as one of the most victorious drivers in the world.

Having previously won the Jim Clark Trophy in 1992, its decoration is for a sportsman like attitude to the sport and fellow competitors, and a natural ability in putting up the most meritorious racing performance during the season. In memory of successive 1960’s Tasman Champion Jim Clark; Baird is in close company with other multiple recipients including Scott Dixon, Ken Smith and Greg Murphy.

The 38-year-old Gold Coast based Kiwi started out as a four-year-old in karts; with a career totalling 21 New Zealand championship titles, three New Zealand Grand Prix wins and two Australian titles – in all manner of cars.

Triple X Motorsport shareholder; Mike Morton said Baird’s award was a special moment for the team, who in two short years have two New Zealand titles with him.

“We’re very proud of Craig’s achievement. The citation echoes our team ethos and that’s been recognised this year by MotorSport New Zealand with this prestigious award for his achievements,” said Morton.

“Leading our team to a one-two-three championship finish in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge didn’t come easy and illustrates his fortitude. We’re pleased to share this time with him.”

This caps off another successful season for Baird and his Auckland based Triple X Motorsport team. Baird won the 2008-2009 New Zealand Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge title for the fifth time, plus the series Hard Charger of the year for passing the most cars in all races.

Absent from the awards evening – Baird was instead competing in the annual 24 hours of Nurburgring race, through Germany’s Eifel region.

Again committed to racing for Triple X Motorsport in the Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup series in the coming season, Baird is also intending a second season in the NZ V8 category, while endeavouring to enter the speedway scene in a midget.

Gaunt tops Porsche team result

2009-04-19T16:53:00.007+12:00

Today’s final Porsche GT3 Cup race rewarded Triple X Motorsport driver Daniel Gaunt (Placemakers – Hampsta Porsche 997) with a second placed finish in a 12-lap race after a first turn incident that eliminated the Barrons RV Taupo – ZM Porsche of Craig Baird.

Completing the street-race trophy weekend at the Hamilton 400 V8 Supercar event, it was Gaunt’s best result for the final race of the summer season – topping the weekend standings for the five-car Porsche team.

Starting from third position in the top-six reverse grid race, Gaunt held his inside line advantage while team-mates Baird and John McIntyre in the VnC Cocktails Porsche collided at the first turn.

“I had my nose clear – had clear track – aimed for it and took it,” said Gaunt of his position climb at the start of the race. “Obviously there was a bit of carnage going on behind out of the first corner. So to get second we were happy with – I just didn’t have the initial pace to catch Jody (Vincent) let alone to defend, so I had to let him get away from me a bit.”

With a fourth, third and finally a second, Gaunt reckons he could have gone one better: “If there was another race – I would have probably gotten that first.”

For Baird, it was a bitter sweet after two wins from the first two races, recording his first DNF (Did Not Finish) for the season.

“I got a blinder start to get between John McIntyre and Daniel Gaunt and then tried to make up another spot – went wide – no problem – then heading off where the kink is in the wall I got squeezed where it is a bit rounded and it broke something in the front.”

Reticent about the incident, Baird said he was going for position: “It doesn’t worry me – it’s not a place I would have positioned myself if it were a championship round anyway. I was trying to make up four spots by turn one and put myself in a vulnerable position and paid the price.”
“I had so much pace on everyone in that one – as I saved my new tyres for that race – that was the bit that fucked me off the most.”

Clearing past the first-turn melee, rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm Porsche 997) tagged in behind McIntyre, before the former two-time V8s champion had to pit for a left rear tyre after being squeezed in to Baird.

Running fifth, Letica was later overtaken for position to finish sixth at the final chequered flag, with McIntyre seventh.

Mike Morton in the #2 green Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group - Porsche 997 car, had a radiator failure that sidelined his final race of the weekend.

“I had a hit at the start, then after a few laps got to the Holden corner – went to turn and ended up going straight. I think it was fluid from the radiator after the start incident – got on to the tyre and fuck. 55 sausages for $20,” added the Mad Butcher CEO.

With Gaunt taking second overall for the street-race trophy weekend, the team scooped the 2008/09 Porsche GT3 Cup Championship trophies in a morning prizegiving ceremony held at the track. Along with Craig Baird’s ‘hard charger’ trophy and Courtney Letica’s ‘rookie’ title, the team also were awarded five premium Tissot watches, three for the championship one-two-three placings plus two for a secondary series run by the timekeeping brand.

The Triple X Motorsport team now focus on endurance and test sessions ahead of a new championship season – to defend their current two top titles in only two seasons of competition.

Results: Race three - 12 laps

Pos Car Driver Vehicle Fastest...Lap

1 10 Jody Vincent (AKL) Porsche 997 1:27.9712

2 47 Daniel Gaunt (AKL) Porsche 997 1:27.8676

3 98 Mark Russ (AKL) Porsche 997 1:28.0530

4 51 Jono Lester (AKL) Porsche 997 1:28.0579

5 96 Ant Pedersen (ROT) Porsche 997 1:27.7228*

6 13 Courtney Letica (AKL) Porsche 997 1:27.8889

7 40 John McIntyre (AKL) Porsche 997 1:27.8844

8 35 Rob Steele (AKL) Porsche 1:30.9352

DNF 2 Mike Morton (AKL) Porsche 997 1:34.5718

DNF 11 Darryn Henderson (WGT) Porsche 997 2:28.5227

DNF 1 Craig Baird (AUS) Porsche 997

Baird takes double Porsche victory

2009-04-18T16:58:00.002+12:00

Today’s first two Porsche races in the Hamilton 400 V8 Supercar weekend have been dominated by Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird in the Barrons RV Taupo-ZM Porsche 997.

Unchallenged at the front of the field, the 38-year-old Queensland based Kiwi has led home the five-car team after two-12-lap races around the 3.4km street course in the Frankton business district.

“There wasn’t a lot of pressure – I just cruised really,” said Baird.

Today’s double victory and fastest lap time of 1min26.6812sec will put Baird back to sixth position for the final race on Sunday – the top-six reverse grid start.

“I was playing with driving lines a lot – as I’m not happy with the exit speeds of the car. So I was seeing how wide and narrow I could brake and stop – as it’s hard to pass round here and it gave me the chance to try things before tomorrow’s race.”

Following a fourth in this morning’s race, Daniel Gaunt in the Placemakers-Hampsta car finished third under perfect skies after a slow-start to his weekend.

“We moved forward and it was catch-up from qualifying where I missed out my best time when the session was red-flagged,” said Gaunt. “So we suffered for the first part of the weekend - hopefully we can get another podium result tomorrow.”

Gaunt will start tomorrow’s final 12-lap race from the second row.

Fourth this afternoon after finishing sixth in his first Porsche race for the Triple X Motorsport team, two-time V8s champion John McIntyre (VnC Cocktails Porsche 997) found switching between his V8 and the Porsche physically demanding.

Dicing with team-mate Courtney Letica (Altherm Porsche 997), the pair had a tit-for-tat battle in the opening lap – joined by Jody Vincent for a three-wide drag down the front chute. McIntyre took the eventual advantage, with Letica later tagging the wall – damaging the rear bumper on his car.

Mad Butcher CEO Mike Morton had a fraught day after consistent lap times in qualifying on Friday. A late race spin in the morning dropped him down the order before running out of clutch in the opening lap of this afternoon’s race.Tomorrow’s final race in the trophy weekend at the V8 Supercar event starts from 11:45am with the weekend results celebrated on the event podium at 2pm.

Hamilton 400 V8 Supercar weekend - Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge trophy racing:
Race one – 12 laps

Pos Car Driver Vehicle Total time
1 1 Craig Baird (AUS) – Triple X Porsche 997 18:53.2951
2 51 Jono Lester (AKL) Porsche 997 18:53.8742
3 96 Anthony Pedersen (ROT) Porsche 997 18:56.8115
4 47 Daniel Gaunt (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 18:57.9212
5 10 Jody Vincent (AKL) Porsche 997 18:58.1043
6 40 John McIntyre (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 19:00.0714
7 13 Courtney Letica (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 19:00.5006
8 35 Rob Steele (AKL) Porsche 19:16.6659
9 2 Mike Morton (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 19:32.3348
DNF 98 Mark Russ (AKL) Porsche 997 6:10.4632
DNF 30 Ben Storey (AKL) Porsche 996 2:19.8641

Race two – 12 laps
Pos Car Driver Vehicle Total time

1 1 Craig Baird (AUS) – Triple X Porsche 997 17:29.7504
2 51 Jono Lester (AKL) Porsche 997 17:34.1845
3 47 Daniel Gaunt (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 17:38.8281
4 40 John McIntyre (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 17:42.9656
5 98 Mark Russ (AKL) Porsche 997 17:49.4239
6 35 Rob Steele (AKL) Porsche 18:32.8200
7 10 Jody Vincent (AKL) Porsche 997 18:56.9552
8 13 Courtney Letica (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 18:59.2209
DNF 2 Mike Morton (AKL) – Triple X Porsche 997 1:38.8965
DNF 96 Anthony Pedersen (ROT) Porsche 997

Trophy weekend points – top-six (after two of three races)
1, Craig Baird – Triple X 150
2, Jono Lester - 134
3, Daniel Gaunt – Triple X 114
4, John McIntyre – Triple X 99
5, Jody Vincent – 88
6= Courtney Letica – Triple X 84
6= Rob Steele – 84

Baird wins first Porsche race

2009-04-18T11:21:00.001+12:00

Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird in the Barrons RV Taupo ZM car has won the opening Porsche GT3 Cup race around the Hamilton 400 street circuit this morning.

Starting from pole, Baird comfortably held out the field for the 12-lap race which was punctuated mid-way by a brief safety-car period.

From the inside of the second row, John McIntyre made his first start in the VnC Cocktails car, swallowed up as he got the Porsche 997 off the line. With Daniel Gaunt in the Placemakers-Hampsta car tucked in behind, the pair swapped positions as the chase began.

Rookie Courtney Letica in the Altherm car benefited from a strong start to mix with his team-mates for a race battle.

Gaunt took the advantage to finish fourth, with McIntyre sixth and Letica seventh. Mad Butcher’s Mike Morton in the Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group finished ninth with three cars non-finishers.

The second race of the weekend for the five-car team is from 1:50pm.

Baird fastest in street race qualifying

2009-04-17T18:44:00.001+12:00

Triple X Motorsport racer Craig Baird has topped the Porsche field in qualifying for the first of three races at the Hamilton V8 Supercar weekend.

Taking to the 3.4 kilometre street course around Hamilton’s Frankton business district, Baird in the Barrons RV Taupo – ZM car dominated the 20 minute session with team debutant John McIntyre in the VnC Cocktails car 0.4466 seconds behind.

“It’s very bumpy – it’s surprising,” said Queensland based Baird after setting his fastest lap. “I had one big moment at the chicane where I bent something, but I was lucky enough to complete the lap to set fastest time.”

“Half the track that was bumpy last year is fixed 100% and then other parts where there has been movement in the ground – the car just bounces all over the place. We’re just glad to be consistently faster so the race tomorrow should be a lot easier – we’ll just be rattling our fillings out during it.”

Immediately after setting his fastest lap time, McIntyre clipped a tyre bundle located on the entry to the back-straight chicane which launched the car after tearing the front right wheel loose from its mounts. Causing the session to be red-flagged (halted). McIntyre’s time for second position was then deleted – leaving him with third fastest for the session.

“Obviously I’m really happy with the pace but disappointed when you damage any car,” said McIntyre after returning the car for mechanics to effect repairs.

“I just got the chicane wrong and it just takes the wheel out of your hand and shovels the car where it wants to – so we’re very lucky it didn’t fire us in to the wall. Now we’ve been shuffled back to third, which I think it’s better to start behind Craig (Baird) and be on the inside at the first turn.”

“But obviously I’m learning, I’ve done the qualifying; now I’ve got to learn how to race the cars.”
With two 12-lap races on Saturday, Baird and McIntyre will be line-astern, with Daniel Gaunt (Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997) starting from fifth, Courtney Letica (Altherm – Porsche 997) in seventh and Mad Butcher CEO Mike Morton (Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group - Porsche 997) 11th.

A final 12-lap on the Sunday will be followed by a podium presentation from 2pm in the afternoon.

Qualifying: Hamilton 400 V8 Supercar weekend - Porsche GT3 Cup
Pos Car Driver Vehicle Time

1 1 Craig Baird (AUS) –Triple X Motorsport Porsche 997 1:26.7143
2 51 Jono Lester (AKL) Porsche 997 +0.651
3 40 John McIntyre (AKL) - Triple X Motorsport Porsche 997 +0.797
4 96 Anthony Pedersen (ROT) Porsche 997 +0.8057
5 47 Daniel Gaunt (AKL) - Triple X Motorsport Porsche 997 +0.8088
6 10 Jody Vincent (AKL) Porsche 997 +1.0280
7 13 Courtney Letica (AKL) - Triple X Motorsport Porsche 997 +1.3505
8 98 Mark Russ (AKL) Porsche 997 +1.8419
9 11 Darryn Henderson (WGT) Porsche 997 +2.3500
10 35 Rob Steele (AKL) Porsche 996 +3.5344
11 2 Mike Morton (AKL) - Triple X Motorsport Porsche 997 +5.7138

McIntyre to race Porsche at Hamilton

2009-04-16T11:54:00.001+12:00

Two-time V8s champion John McIntyre will now race a Triple X Motorsport Porsche at the Hamilton V8 Supercar street race weekend alongside his regular JMR Ford (17-19 April).

A late opportunity to contest the three-race non-championship event fell McIntyre’s way when the seat in team principal Shane McKillen’s VnC Cocktails car became vacant.

Familiar with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car type 997, McIntyre is excited to have the opportunity to drive the #40 VnC Cocktails entry.

“Any day you get to drive in another race car is a very good day,” said the 32-year old professional driver from Nelson. “I’m looking at taking the opportunity with both hands and trying to put in a good performance for the team and sponsors, and enjoying the fact that you’re racing one of the best cars you can drive at Hamilton really.”

Having tested in one of the new 997 cars last September at Taupo, McIntyre says the shakedown time will be valuable at ensuring he is concentrating on the racing instead of learning to drive the car.

With Queensland based Triple X Motorsport team driver Craig Baird also dual driving in the NZ V8s category as well as the Porsche class, McIntyre says the stark difference between the cars makes them easier to drive.

“If my fastest lap is on the third race on the Sunday then I would have done my job from the team’s point-of-view – so we’ll just try sneak up on it.”

The five-car, Auckland based team also includes Mike Morton (#2 Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group Porsche 997), Daniel Gaunt (#47 Placemakers – Hampsta Porsche 997) and Courtney Letica (#13 Altherm Porsche 997)

McKillen’s absence is due to business commitments rendering him unable to attend the Hamilton event.

McIntyre’s first laps of the 3.4 kilometre street course through the Frankton business district will be from 9:55am on Friday morning before qualifying in the afternoon. Saturday morning starts the weekend racing with the first of three 12-lap races; one in the morning followed by a second in the afternoon. The weekend concludes with a mid-day race Sunday afternoon before the podium presentation ceremony from 2pm.

Porsche champions take on street battle

2009-04-15T14:48:00.000+12:00

Multiple Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup champions, Triple X Motorsport will field five type 997 cars in this weekend’s three race battle around the Hamilton streets as part of the V8 Supercar weekend (17-19 April).

One month on from the victorious one-two-three in the 2008/09 championship season, the team have the defence of the inaugural street race trophy that Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997) secured last year after dominating the field with three race wins.

Stepping in to the car vacated by the V8 Supercar contracted David Reynolds – Auckland’s Daniel Gaunt will drive the Placemakers-Hampsta Porsche, making room for Mad Butcher CEO Mike Morton to drive the Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group car.

“Every one of our cars are the same,” Gaunt explains of the seat shuffle. “Porsche obviously do a great job of getting every car very similar – so it’ll be the same adjustments we make to get the setup suited to me,” he annoted to the difference between his podium placing steed and this weekend’s chaser.

With street-course experience this year in Australia, the 24-year old says the Hamilton event is one he is looking forward to: “It’s pretty straight-forward and creates good racing. It has good apexed curves so you can see through most of the corners, plus they’ve made improvements this year that should be for the better.”

Clean-sweeping the championship field again this season, Baird says the Hamilton event suits his style of competition: “Street circuits are something I really enjoy and thrive on really. I just love the concrete and non-forgiving nature; whether it’s a curb with grass run-off or concrete wall - I will charge in just as hard.”

Using 3.4km of streets in Hamilton’s Frankton business district, the concrete block lined course provides an up-close feel for both spectators and Baird, who will tackle the course for the second time.

“I enjoyed the track – the platform they started with in their first year was exceptional so I can only imagine it’s even better with the changes they are making – so I’m looking forward to getting back to it,” said the newly crowned Porsche champion who has now amassed 21 New Zealand titles.

Included to the title-winning team line-up, season rookie Courtney Letica will make his first start at a street circuit event in the Altherm Porsche 997 with team principal Shane McKillen in the VnC Cocktails car.

Beginning with brief testing and weekend qualifying on the Friday, Saturday morning starts the weekend racing with the first of three 12-lap races; one in the morning followed by a second in the afternoon. The weekend concludes with a mid-day race Sunday afternoon before the podium presentation ceremony from 2pm.

Baird takes Porsche title

2009-03-15T17:44:00.003+13:00

- Baird wins all three Porsche races
- Triple X Motorsport seal successive Porsche victory

Queensland based Kiwi Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997) has taken the 2008/09 Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup following this weekend’s final round of racing at Pukekohe Park – leading the Triple X Motorsport team to one-two-three in the championship.

The weekend’s three-race programme concluded with Baird taking his second race win of the weekend in this morning’s 12-lap race to secure his championship placing.

That was backed up by a win in the dying metres of the final race to clean-sweep the weekend for the 38-year-old professional driver.

“I think the championship one-two-three proves how good the team is. I haven’t had a mechanical failure all year – it’s just run like clockwork. So between the group of sponsors, management and all the boys that are in Triple X Motorsport we’ve got the ultimate team to win titles. It doesn’t matter what you do in the team, you get treated all the same – so that makes it a grouse environment to be in,” said Baird.

Baird’s championship win takes him to five Porsche titles and extends his overall New Zealand tally to 21.

Following Baird home in the title chase, Melbourne’s David Reynolds finished second in the morning race and was duelling with Baird in the final top-six reverse grid race before leaving the circuit and retiring. Without points, he had enough from the morning result to secure second overall in the series.

“Baird was my target to beat when I first arrived here,” said Reynolds of his season. “He’s obviously got the edge on most of the tracks here since he’s won most of the races. Also one of my targets over here was to qualify a lot stronger and I think I showed that. Plus the team of Triple X Motorsport has been fantastic to work with – it’s a good balance of professionalism and fun, and that’s what I like over here,” said the Australian.

Auckland’s Daniel Gaunt (Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997) was the third driver to secure his championship placing in the morning race, backed up with a third in the final to make it a clean championship podium sweep for the six-car Porsche team.

“The objective this season was to learn as much as I could. I came in to this team knowing that these guys, Reynolds and Bairdo, have got plenty of experience. So to be able to learn off them all year and be there to pick up third is the best I could imagine.”

“Triple X Motorsport has been remarkably good to me this year - it’s a great environment. They are serious on track and strive to be best while having fun and a laugh together.”

Starting from pole in this afternoon’s final race, season rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) finished in eighth after a clean finishing record for the weekend that was highlighted by a fourth in official race qualifying.

“It’s been a major learning curve, but towards the end we’ve picked up our pace and put a lot of things in to practise and got much better toward the end of the season. I’d like to think with the experience I can be a lot further up there next season,” said the 21-year old Auckland account manager.

Finishing tenth in the championship, one position ahead of Letica, team principal Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails – Porsche 997) said the season result was a better outcome than originally planned.

“It’s a fantastic result - more than we expected at the start of the year,” said the Auckland businessman. “So to finish first-second-third makes us proud as it’s a complete team effort, now we have to find a new goal. We’ve got a great model with this team, having professional drivers, younger drivers and gentleman drivers, we now have two consecutive championship titles to prove it.”

Melbourne’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997) finished fifth equal in the standings – unlucky not to reel in the lucrative fourth spot that would have extended the team’s championship dominance.

Placing seventh in both races today, Forbes said it typified his season being on the cusp of the top-six that often started behind the leading group in the weekend final race.

“The thing that keeps holding me back is the reverse grid race of the top-times. So I can finish quite well in the race, but if I finish seventh fastest time I get put back when those I’m racing against get to the front of the grid and it robs little points off you.”“Otherwise it’s been a good season – I love the racing – it’s all very close. I wouldn’t race anywhere else really – especially with the team I’m in to be perfectly honest. They work hard, play hard – they know how to blend it and it’s a perfect mix.”

The six-car Triple X Motorsport team will run at the Hamilton 400 V8 Supercar weekend as part of a trophy challenge around the street circuit in mid-April.

Results:

Porsche GT3 Race one – 12 laps (top-five) – Saturday 14th March

1. Craig Baird – Triple X 11min38.476s
2. David Reynolds – Triple X +0.657s
3. Jono Lester +2.725s
4. Daniel Gaunt – Triple X +7.790
5. Courtney Letica – Triple X +10.256

Porsche GT3 Race two – 12 laps (top-five) – Sunday 15th March
Pos No Driver Time

1 1 Craig Baird – Triple X 11min35.790s
2 2 David Reynolds – Triple X +0.332
3 47 Daniel Gaunt – Triple X +6.817
4 96 Anthony Pedersen +8.023
5 98 Mark Russ +17.162

Porsche GT3 Race three – 16 laps top-six reverse grid start (top-five) – Sunday 15th March
Pos No Driver Time

1 1 Craig Baird – Triple X 15min40.968
2 10 Jody Vincent +0.188s
3 47 Daniel Gaunt – Triple X +1.676s
4 96 Anthony Pedersen +7.185s5
51 Jono Lester +8.438s

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge points overall (provisional)

1 Craig Baird (Triple X Motorsport) 1295
2 David Reynolds (Triple X Motorsport) 1112
3 Daniel Gaunt (Triple X Motorsport) 935
4 Jono Lester 821
5= Rodney Forbes (Triple X Motorsport) 747
5= Jody Vincent 747
7 Anthony Pedersen 739
8 Darryn Henderson 690
9 Mark Russ 669
10 Shane McKillen 626
11 Courtney Letica 534

Baird pushes closer to Porsche title

2009-03-14T18:07:00.008+13:00

This weekend’s final round in the 2008/09 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge has seen Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997) edge closer to his fourth title having pipped pole setter and team-mate David Reynolds (Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997) in today’s race at Pukekohe.
The first of three races in this weekend’s finale to the summer race season, Baird took the lead right from the start of the 12-lap race having set second fastest qualifying in clear and mild conditions at the Pukekohe Park Raceway.

“It’s a pretty important part of the race really,” described Baird of his trade-mark start-line performance.

“The car was great having changed my driving style a little when coming over the ‘hill’. I worked on that all week as it’s a place I have lost out at previously.”

Qualifying second fastest, Baird said it was strategic move that paid off: “I was happy with my qualifying – it didn’t really faze me being second because the race line is down the outside so you always get a better run down there – a bit more drive.”

Finishing 0.657 seconds ahead of Reynolds, Baird has a 100 point lead with two races to run in the championship.

Fourth, also after a stellar start, Daniel Gaunt (Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997) led rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) home after the Auckland 21-year old started from fourth.

Team principal Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails – Porsche 997) finished ninth after again avoiding an opening turn skirmish that caught Sydney’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997). The coming together forced Forbes to pit for a new tyre before returning to the race to finish in tenth.

Currently one-two-three in the championship Sunday’s two remaining races on the race calendar start with a 12-lap race in the morning before the top-six reverse grid finale from 3pm in the afternoon.

Results:

Hydraulink 200 Pukekohe (14th March 2009).

Porsche GT3 Race one – 12 laps (top-five)
1. Craig Baird – Triple X 11min38.476s
2. David Reynolds – Triple X +0.657s
3. Jono Lester +2.725s
4. Daniel Gaunt – Triple X +7.790
5. Courtney Letica – Triple X +10.256

2008/09 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge points (season total after race one at Pukekohe today).
1. Craig Baird – Triple X - 1145
2. David Reynolds – Triple X - 1045
3. Daniel Gaunt – Triple X - 815

Porsche Title Chase for Triple X

2009-03-10T15:22:00.000+13:00

Currently leading the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Auckland’s six-car Triple X Motorsport team have three races between them and the season championship trophy being raced this weekend at Pukekohe (13-15 March).

Led by Queensland based Kiwi Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997), he holds a 92 point lead over team-mates David Reynolds (Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997) and Daniel Gaunt (Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997) as the trio race for outright podium honours in the sixth and final championship round for the season.

Following a season that started early November last year, the team have set a number of lap records and dominated the 14-car Porsche GT3 cup field that has traversed the country to return to the south Auckland race venue.

For this weekend’s finale, defending champion Craig Baird says it will be ‘business as usual’ as he seeks to wrap up his 21st New Zealand title and fifth time lifting the Porsche cup.

“I never even think about each individual title,” muses the 38-year old ex-pat Kiwi. “I probably break it down more in to individual races, moreso than championships because you have to piece the races together to get the championships. So its cart and horse stuff really. If you talk about championships before individual races you’ve probably got it round the wrong way.”

With 75 points allocated for each race, the current rankings could change abruptly should any number of factors intervene with a calculated plan - putting all thoughts of celebration on hold until Sunday afternoon.

Fifth in the standings, Sydney’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997) is in with a sling-shot of moving to fourth – with the benefit of consistency in his race season.

Directly behind team principal Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails Porsche 997) in the standings, rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) has the added impetus of improving on his first round results at the 2.841km Pukekohe Park Raceway venue. Against highly experienced racers, the 21-year old has been on a steep learning curve that has fixed his sights on first finishing.

Following two test sessions on the Friday around the clockwise circuit, the team get to treat sponsors and guests to hot-lap rides late in the afternoon. The Saturday morning qualifying heats up the championship competition, with an afternoon 12-lap race followed by a second 12-lap race on Sunday morning. Concluding the 18-race season is the 16-lap top-six reverse grid race from 3pm in the afternoon.

Triple X Porsche Victory

2009-03-01T10:50:00.000+13:00

Queensland based Kiwi Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997) has won today’s two Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge races at Manfeild to clean-sweep the penultimate round of the 2008/09 series and extend his overall title lead.

Heading the six-car Auckland based Triple X Motorsport team, Baird’s weekend victory came after Saturday’s rain affected race win was followed up by this morning’s 12-lap lights-to-flag victory held in summer-set conditions.

In stark contrast, the team lined-up for the 16-lap top-six reverse grid afternoon race with rain beginning to fall at the Manawatu race venue. Led in the early stages by Melbourne’s David Reynolds (Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997) after a masterful start, Baird took the lead just before the race was declared early due to the wet conditions.

“To win all three here makes a big difference to me,” said 38-year old Baird. “The pressure was on – but David (Reynolds) did a good job – he arrived here late and on a green set of tyres to run that hard was a good effort,” he described of Reynolds second placing in each of the weekend’s races.

Baird extends his series lead to 92 points over team-mate Reynolds, with Gaunt third to maintain the Triple X championship strong-hold.

“It’s quite good – if I have a DNF (Did Not Finish) I don’t have to win every race to still be in with a chance for the championship final at Pukekohe.”

Sydney’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997) battled with his team-mates in the finale to finish in fourth, ahead of Daniel Gaunt (Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997) in fifth.

Series rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) finished sixth after a nil result in the morning race.

“It was a bit treacherous,” described Letica. “I learned the most I ever could in that session. Just learning how to control the car on the edge – just drive it a bit slower – look for the grip and finding the grip so it really taught me a lot.”

“It’s always nice to get a good result – you get the congratulations to know you’ve done it right.”

Team principal Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails Porsche 997) rounded out the top-ten of the 13 finishers.

With two weeks to the finale at Pukekohe (13-15 March 2009), Triple X Motorsport have three races remaining in the championship season – with Baird having secured the championship title four times previously.

Gaunt wins Grand Prix

2009-03-01T10:46:00.000+13:00

Feilding, Sunday 1^st March: Triple X Motorsport driver Daniel Gaunt (Auckland) has won the prestigious New Zealand Grand Prix held at Manfeild today after a 35 lap race in changeable weather conditions.

Driving the VnC Cocktails/Mad Butcher Toyota single-seater, 24-year old Gaunt dominated the late afternoon race to etch his name in to New Zealand history for the second time.

Having set pole for today’s race in qualifying on the Saturday morning, Gaunt’s strong form continued with a clean victory in the Grand Prix pre-cursor race held earlier this morning at the Manawatu race circuit.

Starting from the front, Gaunt said the quality of field, that included A1 Team New Zealand driver Earl Bamber, ensured any result would be deserved.

“I had to push the whole time,” said Gaunt after the title accolade ceremony. “With the changing conditions and getting drier all the time I knew Earl would be on me the whole weekend. It was fortunate we set the car up for drying conditions – and luckily that’s what it did in the race.”

“This morning’s win gave us confidence – we knew we had a good car in the dry. Although so many things can go wrong and with it so wet for the Grand Prix, the likes of Earl (Bamber) showed he had a car that was stronger in those conditions. We had a flawless start – pulled away and once it started to dry we managed to edge away and make it home.”

“I have to thank Triple X Motorsport, Mike Morton, Shane McKillen, Todd Bickterton, Ian McNabb, Mark and Mark – for the opportunity to do this. I’m so happy I’ve been able to pull through for them – they believed in me – we’ve done it now.”

Speaking of his second title, Gaunt said this victory was significant with such a big year of competition ahead: “This one is very special – to win it for Mike and the team with what we are about to go in to this year with the V8 Supercar programme. It repays some of that support.”

Having badly blistered his hand continually changing gear, it was Gaunt’s only scar for his one returning weekend to the Toyota Racing Series having won the championship title twice previously.

With a winning margin of just over three seconds, Gaunt completed the 35-lap race in a time of 45minutes 35.667seconds, that included one Safety Car period during the race.

Gaunt also contested the three-race Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge at Manfeild, which concludes at Pukekohe in two weeks time.

Baird Shines in the Wet

2009-02-28T10:51:00.004+13:00

Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997) has won today’s opening race at the fifth round of the 2008/09 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge at Manfeild today with team-mate David Reynolds (Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997) second.

Starting from the second row following the mixed-weather, mixed timing morning qualifying session, Baird took advantage of a superior start to pressure Reynolds and team-mate Daniel Gaunt.

Gaunt led for the early stages of the race before losing ground to the field. He was then shunted in to the grass at the hair-pin turn, puncturing and relegated to 13th position.

Baird’s victory, his 12^th for the season, has extended his championship lead after the 12-lap race held in steady rain at the 3.03km Manawatu circuit.

“I got a good start – even though I struggled with rear-grip for most of the race. Reynolds had good pace toward the end – it was a good result but hard work,” said Baird, who stepped from the Porsche to his Ford Falcon where he was to start the afternoon NZV8s race from pole position.

Reynolds was philosophical following his pole position start evaporated at the starting lights.

“I clawed my way back up after a bad start and once it started to rain a lot heavier I struggled to see where I was going,” said Melbourne based Reynolds.

“Qualifying was pretty good for me considering I didn’t do any practise yesterday – I haven’t driven a car in six odd weeks so to grab pole was a pretty good effort.

“Triple X are still one-two-three in the championship – so things are pretty good. If Craig (Baird) has a DNF (Did Not Finish) then we are about on par – so the luck is in his court at the moment.”

Behind Reynolds in sixth position, Sydney’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997) led home the remainder of the six-car Triple X Motorsport team with team principal Shane McKillen seventh (VnC Cocktails – Porsche 997).

Tenth after a mid-race spin through the in-field, rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) finished ahead of Gaunt, who crossed the line with a damaged rear tyre in 13^th position.

With weather conditions expected to improve for the Sunday, today’s rain is expected to abate for the 12-lap morning race, which is followed by a top-six reverse grid 16-lapper in the afternoon.

Gaunt on pole for Grand Prix

2009-02-28T10:51:00.002+13:00

Auckland’s Daniel Gaunt will start the Triple X Motorsport VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota Racing Series car from pole position for the 2009 New Zealand Grand Prix being held at the Manfeild Park Raceway near Palmerston North.

Today’s two-part qualifying was held in the wake of the low-pressure weather system battering the northern reaches of the country. The varying wet conditions made decisions regarding optimal suspension setup for the race qualifying a lottery for the Triple X Motorsport engineers.

“We thought the session was going to be really wet – given the conditions,” said 24-year-old Gaunt. “Seeing it starting to dry we headed towards a different setup – which took a bit of time, so we didn’t get out until late in to the first half of the session. I felt reasonably comfortable with the result, but made a fairly subtle change for the second part of qualifying. I knew that’s all I had to work with so had to push. So that’s what I did – push and we managed to be on the right side of a few tenths’ to put it on pole for the Grand Prix.”

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Gaunt ahead of tomorrow’s 35 laps around the 3.03km Manfeild circuit.

One of only two Grand Prix races not contested by Formula One cars, the New Zealand Grand Prix is world first at using E85 blended biofuel in the Toyota TT104ZZ Racing Series wings and slicks car.

Preceding tomorrow afternoon’s race, Gaunt will race the 20-lap Dan Higgins Trophy event, before a 10-lap sprint race Sunday morning. The Grand Prix is set to begin at 4:10pm (16:10) with a predicted improvement in weather conditions.

Triple X chase Porsche penultimate round title

2009-02-24T10:57:00.003+13:00

The six-car Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge leading team of Triple X Motorsport head to this weekend’s penultimate round of the 2008/09 championship season at Manawatu’s Manfeild Park Raceway (27 February - 1 March).

Led by Queensland based Kiwi Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997), he is 68 points ahead of Melbourne’s David Reynolds (Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997) and Auckland’s Daniel Gaunt (Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997), securing the team atop the championship ladder.

Baird and Sydney’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997) are fresh from the Bathurst 12-hour race before returning to the Auckland based team and New Zealand championship scene. Forbes is currently placed fifth in the standings and makes his second return to the North Island circuit nestled adjacent to the rural township of Feilding.

Also extending driving duty for the team, Daniel Gaunt will double his weekend mileage as he contests the Toyota Racing Series round of competition aboard the VnC Cocktails/Mad Butcher Toyota Tatuus TT104ZZ wings and slicks car. With a further three races to his programme, it includes the prestigious New Zealand Grand Prix title up for grabs late Sunday afternoon.

Placed 11^th in the standings behind team principal Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails – Porsche 997), rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) says his first laps around Manfeild in the Porsche are part of his learning process: “I’m making sure I want to race at Manfeild with an open-mind. There is so much to learn from the other drivers in the team so I can use their hints and pointers to make me as fast as possible,” said the 21-year old.

“Obviously I haven’t got any championship pressure so I’m out just to keep it on the track and get a good solid run - my main focus is on keeping it straight.”

This weekend’s return to the banked turns that punctuate the 3.03km Manfeild lap distance, provide improved tyre performance and offer numerous passing opportunities. With 75 points up for grabs in each of the weekend’s three races, Reynolds has been the only driver to perfect point-score a round this season while four-time champion Baird has won three of the four events contested so far.

Starting with testing and hot-lap rides on the Friday, the competition action begins with qualifying Saturday morning and a 12-lap race in the afternoon. Sunday starts with a second 12-lap race before the results determine the top-six reverse grid starting order for the afternoon 16-lap race.

Gaunt to race in 2009 V8 Supercar Development series

2009-02-21T11:02:00.003+13:00

Auckland based Daniel Gaunt (23) has signed to race in the Australian V8 Supercar Development Series starting in March with McElrea Racing.

A seven round championship contested alongside the main V8 Supercar game, Gaunt has been signed following negotiations with Andy McElrea, supported by Stone Brothers Racing’s Jimmy and Ross Stone.

Driving the Ford Falcon previously campaigned by Shane Van Gisbergen, Gaunt, a two-time winner of the Toyota Racing Series, says this has been what he has been working toward since he left the single-seater category.

“Since entering in to touring cars it has been a dream to one day drive V8 Supercars. We’ve got a great team with a good car and engine – so it will be a competitive package,” announced Gaunt. “And it was through the support of Triple X Motorsport that brought this deal together.”

Moving to the V8 Supercar scene, ex-pat Kiwi McElrea says both he and Gaunt are in great company with support from Stone Brothers Racing (SBR):

“We’ve had to graduate to V8 Supercars and with the opportunity to get good gear at the right time has come from SBR. I’m leasing their car and Development Series transporter plus a technical and supply agreement with SBR,” said McElrea, a former New Zealand Formula Ford and TraNZam champion.

“Being new we are obviously an under-dog. Gaunt’s a young guy and I don’t think I could have got a better driver fit for what we are. He is well aware it’s a golden opportunity and knows it’s his best shot at making it as a professional over here. Plus we have quite a few Kiwis’ in our line-up so I think he is going to fit in very well, particularly in light of our team and some of the management of Triple X Motorsport knowing each other so well - our philosophies are similar.”

Having completed a test with Stone Brothers Racing in 2008, co-owner Ross Stone said Gaunt’s performance topped his preferred list: “I’ve kept an eye on Daniel’s racing. When we ran him in a driver evaluation test he was really impressive. He knew what he wanted – it left a good impression on us, to the extent that if he does this programme he’s on a list that I’d like to have as him as a co-driver in the endurance races for us,” described Stone of the upcoming opportunities to race with SBR in the Phillip Island and Bathurst V8 Supercar events.

Preparing for his Australian campaign, Gaunt says he has been fitness training every day: “It’s the last thing you want to be letting you down, so it’s important to be as fit as possible. Plus racing in the Triple X Motorsport Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group 997 Porsche, you get race fit, which is of benefit compared to some of the Australian guys who haven’t raced for the last few months.”

Gaunt has 25 days until the first round, the Cipsal 500 Adelaide street circuit, where he will begin his trans-Tasman V8 race commuting.

Gaunt to race in Grand Prix

2009-02-17T11:06:00.000+13:00

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.

Triple X clean-sweep southern Porsche podium

2009-01-18T11:07:00.000+13:00

Porsche powered Triple X Motorsport have won the fourth round of the 2008/09 GT3 Cup Challenge with their third consecutive podium lock-out following the race weekend held near Invercargill (16-18 January).

Held at the world’s most southern race circuit, the weekend reinforced the team’s championship superiority with the race podium dominated by three of the six-car team.

Following last night’s dramatic 30-lap twilight race held after a ninety minute interlude for heavy rain, Queensland based Kiwi Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997) continued his winning streak to secure a further win and second place from the race weekend. A close second, Melbourne’s David Reynolds (Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997) snapped at Baird’s heels during the Saturday evening race, to finally up-stage the defending champion in the Sunday afternoon finale for victory.

With Baird starting from position five and Reynolds to his right in position six for the 16-lap top-six reverse grid race, Reynolds got the better start to snatch the advantage under more settled weather conditions.

“When you win a round it’s pointless trying to dive-bomb your team-mate,” described Baird of Reynolds taking the final race victory. “With the round win and a good championship lead it was pointless taking any risks – I peeled a tyre early in the race so just had to stroke it home.”

“So a good weekend for us – a testing weekend - more so for the crew than for us with the weather conditions,” said the defending Porsche GT3 Cup Champion. “One minute it’s dry, one minute it’s wet, one minute it’s sunny, one minute it’s cold. The conditions kept changing and the boys did a fantastic job to present us with a car ready to cope with those changes – a real team effort.”

Continually mixing in the leading battle, Auckland’s Daniel Gaunt (Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997) and Sydney’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997) shared a third place each, with Gaunt taking the better placed finish in the final race to secure the remaining round podium position.

The team’s third successive championship podium lock-out, the Baird, Reynolds and Gaunt trio are extending their margin on the rest of the 14-car field, with Forbes closing for the fourth place position.

As the weather ever-changed, Sunday’s cooler conditions did little to stifle the on-track pace with Reynolds bettering the new lap record he set on the Saturday evening. Further lowering the mark during the morning 12-lap race, he said the 58.341s mark around the 2.61km circuit proved he had the pace for victory.

“Being the fastest car for the weekend I should have more race wins – at least two out of the three – however I made a few errors,” conceded the 23-year old.

Bailed out of the Saturday evening race, Auckland rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) finished ninth and tenth in the Sunday races.

Team principal Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails Porsche 997) benefited from a consistent weekend to finish seventh in the endurance race, tenth and 12^th in the finale.

Following the two successive race weekends in the South Island, the team now have the long journey back to their Auckland workshop where all six cars will be rebuilt for the final two rounds in the championship season.
The team will next race at Manfeild late in February (27 February – 1 March).

Triple X to lead Porsche twilight race

2009-01-17T11:11:00.000+13:00

Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird in the Barrons RV Taupo – ZM - Porsche 997 set fastest time in this afternoon’s qualifying to lead the start in tonight’s 30-lap twilight race around Invercargill’s 2.61km Teretonga Park Raceway.

Set in varying fine/damp weather conditions this afternoon, the first of three races in this weekend’s fourth round of the 2008/09 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge has two Triple X Motorsport cars starting from the front row of this evenings race grid.

Very much a qualifying based on strategy, there was an additional element of luck with two of the team’s cars faster times later annulled when it were deemed they were set during yellow flag conditions. That left Baird at the front of the pack with Melbourne’s David Reynolds in the Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997 alongside in second.

Starting from the third row, Daniel Gaunt in the Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997 was previously in second position in the 13-car field.

The ever-changing weather at the world’s most southern race venue is set to play a part in the evening race that starts from 7:40pm (19:40NZST). Traditional variations in conditions at the venue have left commentators speculating that predicting a winner between the Australian honed endurance prowess of Baird and Reynolds will be an easier option.

The leading duo in the six-car Triple X Motorsport team are well used to the longer race distances – saved for the cooler climate and more abrasive nature of the sand based circuit.

Following their example, Sydney’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997) set eighth fastest time, followed by Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) and Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails – Porsche 997).

Sunday’s returns to the normal race weekend programme with a 12-lap race in the morning and the top-six reverse grid 16-lap race in the afternoon.

Triple X to push Porsche title lead

2009-01-13T11:12:00.000+13:00

This weekend’s second of back-to-back race meetings draws the championship past the half-way mark in the 2008/09 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge and to Invercargill for the fourth round of the 2008/09 season for the six car Triple X Motorsport team.

Following a perfect race weekend clean-sweep at Timaru by Melbourne based David Reynolds in the Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997; he fronted a team lock-out of the race weekend podium. Now heading to the world’s most southern race circuit, he says it is by far his favourite:

“It’s one of the best tracks I go to in New Zealand. Its fast and flowing and my type of track,” said the 23-year old, who is journeying with the team as they head for a few days in Queenstown before arriving at the Invercargill circuit on Thursday.

“I tried a few different things at Timaru so if we can make that work at Invercargill we can achieve the same result again.”

Utilising the longer daylight hours enjoyed by southern New Zealand, the weekend race programme includes a 30 lap endurance race on the Saturday evening following morning qualifying. While a common race length for Australian championship hardened Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997) and Reynolds, Baird does voice caution at the twilight race.

“I’m a little concerned over the tyre life with the 40 minute race,” said the 38-year old defending champion and current point’s leader. “Last time we were there we had some tyre failures due to the abrasive surface around the sweeper. The new tyre is supposed to be more durable but who knows, so I’m going to have to use strategy really.”

Explaining his thoughts, Baird says the unique sand based circuit features predominantly drive corners where the tyre doesn’t get to ‘rest’ and cool down during a lap.

“So you just build up temperature and more temperature – that’s going to be quite a concern.”

Sunday returns to the normal programme with a 12-lap race in the morning and a top-six reverse grid 16-lap race in the afternoon.

With the first three championship podium placings secured by the Triple X Motorsport team following the Timaru weekend, Queensland based Kiwi Craig Baird in the Barrons RV Taupo – ZM – Porsche 997 has a 60 point lead over Reynolds.
A further 99 points behind, Auckland’s Daniel Gaunt (Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997) holds third by a moderate margin with Sydney’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997) in sixth. Team principal Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails – Porsche 997) sits in tenth, with rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) is close behind in 11^th.

Set 10km to the west of Invercargill, Teretonga’s 2.61km kidney shaped circuit was plotted through lupin covered sand-dunes before its establishment as a permanent race facility in late 1957.

Triple X lock-out Porsche title race

2009-01-12T11:19:00.000+13:00

Triple X driver David Reynolds has taken three from three wins at the third round of the 2008/09 Porsche GT3 Challenge held in Timaru over the weekend, leading the team charge that now occupies the top three placings in the championship chase.

The Melbourne based driver in the Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997 dominated the entire weekend – setting fastest time in qualifying, winning the opening race and this morning’s second 12-lap race.

Starting from sixth position in the afternoon’s top-six reverse grid 16-lap race, Reynolds moved through the field to win by a margin of 3.6 seconds to take the overall weekend honours.

“The car was fantastic. I didn’t get a very good start in race three, but a few of the guys got hung out to dry and I was fourth by turn three. My car was just on song, words can’t describe the bond I had with it this weekend – it was perfect,” said the 23-year old professional racer.

As the sun intensified during the day, conditions around the 2.4km Timaru track improved, with Reynolds benefiting from a more optimal suspension setup that provided greater drive from the turns.

“It’s pretty special, pole as well – we’ve been hard to fault all weekend to be fair. Dan (Gaunt) and Craig (Baird) have been pretty fast. But Craig has his weekends and I have mine. Now we go to Invercargill and it could go either way – it to’s and froe’s a bit,” he added.

“Now I just have to concentrate on doing what I did this weekend next weekend, working with Spraguey (Peter Sprague) my engineer and try to make the car the best we can – now I just want to keep the good times rolling.”

Second for the weekend and still leading the overall championship, Queensland based Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo ZM) finished the final race in third after a second in the morning race. Auckland based team-mate Daniel Gaunt (Beef and Lamp – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997) completed a second successive team lock-out of a race weekend podium – finishing third to secure the final podium spot on the points table.

The final race looked to be a Gaunt’s, but early tyre damage thwarted his outright pace – forcing him to defend his front-row placing, finishing fourth in the finale behind Baird.

Fifth and with a trouble-free run following Saturday’s radiator damage, Sydney driver Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997) finished ahead of team-mates Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) and team principal Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails – Porsche 997).

The team now have a short turn-around time to have the six cars ready – continuing their southern journey to begin the fourth round of the season at the world’s most southern race venue at Teretonga, near Invercargill (16-18 January 2009).

Home victory for Triple X

2009-01-12T11:16:00.000+13:00

Today’s opening Porsche GT3 race at the Timaru circuit has been a home town victory for Triple X Motorsport engineer Peter Sprague with driver David Reynolds taking a comfortable victory in the afternoon 12-lap race.

A lights to flag victory by Melbourne’s Reynolds in the Placemakers – Hampsta – Porsche 997, beat home the second Triple X Porsche of Queensland based Craig Baird (Barrons RV Taupo ZM), with third going to Triple X recruit Daniel Gaunt (Beef and Lamp – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997).

The leading pair qualified at the front row of the grid for the afternoon race – the first of three in the third round of the 2008/09 championship season.

Facing dreary conditions, Reynolds said his first victory of the season wasn’t hampered by the light rain that began to fall during the early stages of the race: “…it wasn’t enough to affect the cars performance and those first three laps was where I got enough of a gap to win the race by a good margin.” Reynolds finished fractionally over one second ahead of team-mate Baird.

Paying tribute to the hometown experience imposed by the engineer on his Placemakers – Hampsta car, Reynolds said he was ecstatic to have taken the win: “Peter Sprague and I have been working closer together to get the performance of the car fine tuned and that’s what won me the race. Since the first lap of practise I knew my car was good and my mindset was very good for the weekend – I was on it straight away. It was very good from the first three laps of the race and that’s where I got a decent enough gap to win the race by a good margin.”

A safety car incident in the first-quarter of the race came after a number of cars tangled in a minor concertina, with Sydney’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997) running up the back of another car. The impact punctured his radiator forcing him to later retire.

Rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) finished in sixth place to be the fourth team car home, having started from 11^th behind team principal Shane McKillen, (VnC Cocktails – Porsche 997) who finished in seventh place.

Tomorrow’s final two races around the 2.4km Timaru circuit include a second 12-lap race, held in the morning, with a 16-lap afternoon race where the top-six leaders are reversed in start order.

Triple X drive Porsche challenge south

2009-01-05T11:22:00.001+13:00

New Zealand’s leading Porsche GT3 Cup team Triple X Motorsport, begin back-to-back weekends of race action, starting with this weekend’s third championship round held near Timaru (9-11 January 2009).

Starting the 2009 year with a 1200km journey from Auckland to Timaru, the six car Porsche team front for the resumption in the six round season, with the fourth round the following weekend held near Invercargill.

Currently headed by points leader and defending title champion Craig Baird, his Barrons RV Taupo ZM - Porsche 997 has been workshop freshened for the long-distance journey. Baird says the coming two consecutive race weekends are a favourite part of his New Zealand race campaign: “Timaru is my favourite track in the country and having Invercargill the week after means I can spend the whole time with my family,” said the 38-year old Queensland based Kiwi. “You have nearly a week in Queenstown between weekends and it’s only a few hours’ drive down the road and you’re racing again, where normally you’ve got a long journey between events.”

Included in the line-up, Melbourne’s David Reynolds (Placemakers – Karcher – Porsche 997) holds second in the season standings – 91 points behind Baird. Auckland’s Daniel Gaunt (Beef and Lamp – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group – Porsche 997) is fourth, seeking to reclaim his third spot podium position to complete the table topping team trifecta.

Gaunt also holds the qualifying lap record at the 2.4km circuit, set during the previous season when he secured his first pole position in a Porsche at the Timaru venue.

“I enjoy Timaru, it was the first ever place I raced a car as well so that’s another reason I enjoy driving around it. It has some dangerous areas and is tough to string a whole perfect lap together. If I can match last year’s qualifying result I’ll be pretty happy,” said the 23-year old.

Adding to the championship pressure, the team also includes Sydney’s Rodney Forbes (Hampsta - MPD Dairy Products – Porsche 997) who is in fifth position, team principal Shane McKillen (VnC Cocktails – Porsche 997) and series rookie Courtney Letica (Altherm - Porsche 997) rounding out the top-12 championship placings.

In preparation for the two away events in the deep south, two of the team’s six cars have brand new body shells following significant chassis damage suffered at the Christchurch weekend held near the end of 2008. Rodney Forbes and Courtney Letica’s cars both suffered heavy damage that required new Porsche 997 body shells to be air freighted directly from Porsche Motorsport in Weissach – Germany. That left the team with the frantic task of piecing together the cars in readiness for the journey south in the early New Year.

“It’s been a massive task for the boys,” said technical director Todd Bickerton. “We had to sacrifice our Christmas / New Year holidays when we would normally be engaged in season socialising. The guys have put in some long hours to ready all six cars before the journey south, although we got ahead enough to have a couple of days off for New Year’s.”

Arriving in Timaru late Wednesday, the team will establish their track-side area on Thursday in preparation for two timed practise and test sessions on Friday. Qualifying for the three-race weekend is held mid-Saturday morning with the first 12-lap race in the afternoon.

There is a second 12-lap race Sunday morning with a 16-lap race in the afternoon where the top-six leaders are reversed in start order.