Craig Baird and Max Twigg claim victory in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Round 1 at Albert ParkBaird takes outright victory, Gaunt determined to chase
Craig Baird sealed outright victory at the opening round of Porsche Carrera Cup Australia at Albert Park this weekend, however young gun Daniel Gaunt is determine to close the gap in the coming rounds.
Baird again dominated Race 3 to take his second race victory for the round, with Gaunt remaining close throughout the eight-lap race. Gaunt eventually finished second, ahead of former V8 Supercar drivers Steven Richards, Mark Skaife and Michael Patrizi, who recovered from his Friday accident to finish fifth.
Gaunt, who only took delivery of his car on Monday, suggested better preparation for the remaining events will help him challenge Baird for wins and the title.
“We took delivery of the car on Monday and we were on track on Thursday so there was a lot of hard work put into getting the car on track. We chipped away at it all weekend; we had our ups and downs but we got there in the end. Second for the weekend was a great result from seven days ago,” said Gaunt.
“I would have liked to have gone one step better but we’ll eventually get there. Bairdo is going to be really strong everywhere we go but I think we can go toe to toe with him all year. I think we can safely say we’ll be competitive in Perth, but we want to go there and win. That’s the goal.”
Meanwhile, Baird was pleased with victory and to lead the Carrera Cup standings.
“I got a good start and obviously Richards and Gaunt were battling a little bit there at the beginning which gave me a little break for the remainder of the race,” said Baird.
“It’s always nice to be on top. It’s good to finish the round in the lead and not have to be chasing the rest of the guys in the coming rounds.”
The Elite class was dominated by Max Twigg, who won the class in all three races. Twigg finished Race 3 in sixth, ahead of Matthew Coleman and Briton Ben Barker, who spun earlier in the race with Jonny Reid due to fluid at Turn 2.
“We had a good qualifying session; better than most because we got out early and didn’t get caught up in the safety car,” said Twigg.
“That got us further up the grid and allowed us to tag onto the professional guys for a couple of laps. It was good – you pick a few things; you know where they hit the kerbs and learn a few braking markers. It just sharpens your own game. I ran with them as long as I could and some of my times were within a tenth here and there.”
The Koundouris brothers, Theo and James, finished ninth and tenth, respectively after a battle late in the race; ahead of Peter Hill whose impressive performance throughout the weekend placed him second in the Elite class.
Michelin also featured its Michelin Porsche Cup N1 tyre on each Carrera Cup car at Albert Park this weekend, the first time ever the tyre has been raced.
Porsche Carrera Cup Australia will next compete at the Trading Post Perth Challenge at Barbagallo Raceway on April 29-May 2.
Round 1, Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix, Race 3 - OUTRIGHT
1. Craig Baird (8 Laps)
2. Daniel Gaunt
3. Steven Richards
4. Mark Skaife
5. Michael Patrizi
6. Max Twigg
7. Matthew Coleman
8. Ben Barker
9. Theo Koundouris
10. James Koundouris
11. Peter Hill
12. Damien Flack
13. Shane Smollen
14. Simon Middleton
15. Michael Loccisano
16. Jonny Reid
17. Ross Lilley
18. Andrew Barlow
19. Rusty French
20. Nathan Tinkler
21. Ray Angus
DNF Marc Cini
PROFESSIONAL Class Results – Race 3
1. Craig Baird
2. Daniel Gaunt
3. Steven Richards
4. Mark Skaife
5. Michael Patrizi
6. Matthew Coleman
7. Ben Barker
8. Jonny Reid
ELITE Class Results – Race 3
1. Max Twigg
2. Matthew Coleman
3. Ben Barker
4. Theo Koundouris
5. James Koundouris
6. Peter Hill
7. Damien Flack
8. Shane Smollen
9. Simon Middleton
10. Michael Loccisano
11. Ross Lilley
12. Andrew Barlow
13. Rusty French
14. Nathan Tinkler
15. Ray Angus
DNF Marc Cini
Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Standings - OUTRIGHT – after Round 1 of 7
1. Craig Baird 174
2. Daniel Gaunt 144
3. Steven Richards 144
4. Mark Skaife 120
5. Jonny Reid 102
6. Ben Barker 100
7. Max Twigg 90
8. Matthew Coleman 78
9. Peter Hill 64
10. Michael Patrizi 59
11. Theo Koundouris 59
12. Shane Smollen 41
13. James Koundouris 40
14. Damien Flack 39
15. Michael Loccisano 39
16. Simon Middleton 34
17. Ross Lilley 28
18. Andrew Barlow 27
19. Ray Angus 21
20. Marc Cini 20
21. Rusty French 19
22. Nathan Tinkler 16
PROFESSIONAL Class Standings – after Round 1 of 7
1. Craig Baird 174
2. Daniel Gaunt 144
3. Steven Richards 144
4. Mark Skaife 120
5. Jonny Reid 118
6. Ben Barker 103
7. Matthew Coleman 90
8. Michael Patrizi 62
ELITE Class Standings – after Round 1 of 7
1. Max Twigg 180
2. Peter Hill 150
3. Theo Koundouris 144
4. Shane Smollen 100
5. James Koundouris 96
6. Michael Loccisano 94
7. Damien Flack 90
8. Simon Middleton 84
9. Ross Lilley 69
10. Andrew Barlow 67
11. Ray Angus 53
12. Marc Cini 49
13. Rusty French 48
14. Nathan Tinkler 42
27/3/2011