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 (Top 8)
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
