Triple X Motorsport driver Daniel Gaunt has made a stunning start to the 2010/2011 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series following victory in the 100 kilometre opening race at Pukekohe today.
Claiming the top result for the five-car Auckland based Porsche team, Gaunt reversed his earlier weekend fortunes to finish first in the 36-lap race around the 2.8 kilometre race circuit. Starting from sixth position, Gaunt got an early gain in the opening lap to get closer to leader and team-mate Craig Baird who started from pole. Working hard for every bit of advantage, Gaunt, in the Outlaws Bar/MPD Porsche 997 was helped by his Triple X Motorsport team with a slick pit-stop for the endurance style race. Up to second place behind his championship defending team-mate, he was able to claim the top position when the left-rear tyre of the car Mad Butcher ZM Porsche of Baird disintegrated two laps from the finish.
“You have to take the result when it comes your way. It was unfortunate, though; it was looking like a one-two for Triple X, but have to be happy to come in first any day. The team did an awesome job in the pit stop, where I jumped another spot, then with a faultless race – that’s what motor racing is all about – trying to eliminate all the mistakes,” said Gaunt.
Porsche rookie Scott Harrison (Whangarei) finished third, having started fifth in his series debut. Driving the Mad Butcher Carpet One 997, 21-year-old Harrison said his goal was to finish where he started – so was pleased to have improved given the calibre of competition.
Baird’s demise on lap 34 forced the Gold Coast based Kiwi to pit for a second time to replace the destroyed Michelin tyre after it wore out. Returning to the circuit he finished sixth.
Christchurch businessman Paul Kelly finished fifth in the Paul Kelly Motor Company Porsche 997 with team principal Shane McKillen climbing back to eighth in the VnC Cocktails Porsche 997 after a mid-race track excursion.
The team have two races on Sunday to conclude the first of six rounds on the championship series calendar. With a 12-lap race starting at 11:55, the top-six reverse grid 16-lap race starts at 3:15pm.
Qualifying: Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge – top eight.
1 1 Craig Baird, Gold Coast, Triple X Motorsport, 57.870
2 2 Jonny Reid, Auckland, 57.959
3 32 Mitchell Cunningham, Auckland, 58.170
4 96 Ant Pedersen, Palmerston North, 58.763
5 5 Scott Harrison, Whangarei, Triple X Motorsport, 58.860
6 3 Daniel Gaunt, Auckland, Triple X Motorsport, 59.016
7 4 Shane McKillen, Auckland, Triple X Motorsport, 59.700
8 90 Paul Kelly, Christchurch, Triple X Motorsport, 1:00.093
Race results: Race one Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge – 36 laps (top-eight)
1 3 Daniel Gaunt , Auckland, Triple X Motorsport, 37:09.690
2 32 Mitchell Cunningham, +0.931s
3 5 Scott Harrison, Whangarei, Triple X Motorsport, +9.443s
4 96 Ant Pedersen, +31.847s
5 90 Paul Kelly, Christchurch, Triple X Motorsport, +55.688s
6 1 Craig Baird, Gold Coast, Triple X Motorsport, +1 Lap
7 2 Jonny Reid, +16.307
8 4 Shane McKillen, Auckland, Triple X Motorsport, +16.740
