Craig Baird will enter the final round of Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia in Sydney with a substantial championship lead after taking victory on the streets of the Gold Coast, while Paul Kelly took his second Elite Class round win for the season.
Baird continued his winning form in Sunday’s two Carrera Cup races, claiming full points for the weekend and extending his series lead to 51 points over fellow New Zealander Daniel Gaunt.
With three race victories on the Gold Coast, Baird extended his world record tally to 114 victories in Porsche one-make series worldwide – including all Carrera Cup and GT3 Cup Challenge series – adding three more wins at his home event.
“It’s mega to win at home on the Gold Coast, especially with the family around to watch you race. It gives you a little bit of extra motivation. It’s definitely a bit more special,” said Baird.
“This weekend really couldn’t have been better. It was a really solid weekend and one which I put a lot of effort into to make sure that the car was right and that I was right.
“I absolutely wanted to come out of the Gold Coast round with three wins because obviously it’s going to be tight going into the last round. I wanted to be able to head into Sydney not having to win everything, but be able to dictate where I need to be and what I need to do.”
Sunday’s opening race started under eventful circumstances with Shane Smollen and Damien Flack coming together entering Turn 4, with Flack’s car consequently careering into the rear of Peter Hill’s Porsche. Smollen was able to continue, while Hill and Flack were out of the race.
The action continued later in the race when Michael Patrizi spun due to a left rear punctured tyre. Fellow McElrea Racing driver Jonny Reid was unable to avoid his spun team-mate, with the collision ending both their races.
The race ended under a safety car period and Baird claimed the win ahead of Gaunt, Ben Barker, Steven Richards, Kelly and Theo Koundouris – who was racing with discomfort after braking his hand last month; an injury that caused him to miss the past two rounds.
Baird’s dominant form continued in the final race. The series leader pulled away from the field to finish six seconds ahead of second-placed Steven Richards. Gaunt finished third, ahead of Coleman in fourth – his best race result for the season.
Reid recovered from his Race 2 accident to place fifth in the third race, ahead of Twigg, James Koundouris, Theo Koundouris, Marc Cini, Smollen and Kelly.
Barker looked to secure second position after setting the pace in the final race, including a new lap record, however he crashed into the concrete barrier after trying to avoid a lapped car.
Baird’s three race victories secured him the outright round win, ahead of Gaunt, Richards and Coleman.
In a tightly fought battle in the Elite Class, Kelly claimed the round win ahead of the Koundouris brothers James and Theo in second and third, respectively.
“The weekend went really well. I was turned around in the final race but I was lucky enough to recover to eventually come away with the Elite Class win,” said Kelly.
“I’ve enjoyed driving at this track more than Bathurst; not because of the round win but because of the car bouncing around the track, there’s walls everywhere and I enjoy the mental fight needed to go fast.”
Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia will next visit the Sydney Telstra 500 on December 02-04 for the final round of its 2011 season.
