Photo: Craig BairdIn a gripping 38-lap race at Invercargill’s Teretonga motor-race circuit, Triple X Motorsport driver Daniel Gaunt in the MPD VnC Cocktails Porsche 997 took his sixth win of the season to head team-mate Craig Baird in the ZM Mad Butcher Porsche 997.
A strong start by the current NZ Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series leader allowed him to make an early break on the field as Baird struggled to recover. Gradually reeled in by the defending champion, the pit-stop each driver had to complete offered no advantage as the Triple X Motorsport team were able to return each car to their previous track position.
“I got a second lease on life when I came in for the pit-stop and tyre swap. It’s often where the race is won or lost, but the team did a great job so I could keep Baird at bay for a bit longer,” said Gaunt after the finish.
“It was a very long hard race for all 38 laps and I have to thank the Triple X guys, MPD and VnC Cocktails for their time and effort. I don’t think there was a moment of that race where I remember breathing.”
Also benefiting from a strong start, Triple X Motorsport team principal Shane McKillen finished fifth in the VnC Cocktails Porsche 997. The Auckland businessman mixed up the running order early in the race, before entering a duel with team-mate Scott Harrison in the Mad Butcher Carpet One Porsche 997.
Finishing sixth, it was one position better than Christchurch car dealer Paul Kelly. Mad Butcher CEO Michael Morton stopped two-thirds through the race.
The third of six rounds in the summer race championship, Gaunt extends his lead to 67 points after today’s race, the first of three for the weekend. His advantage carries forward to Sunday morning’s 12-lap race where he will again start from pole, with Baird alongside.
The final race for the weekend starts at 3:15pm, covering 16-laps with the top-six start positions reversed.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge: race one Teretonga 15 January 2011 38-laps (top-seven)
1, Daniel Gaunt, Triple X Motorsport, 38:52.792
2, Craig Baird, Triple X Motorsport, +0.717
3, Jonny Reid, +0.880
4, Mitch Cunningham, 21.884
5, Shane McKillen, Triple X Motorsport, +1 Lap
6, Scott Harrison, Triple X Motorsport, +1lap 10.388s
