Triple X Motorsport driver David Reynolds took a convincing win in this weekend’s first of three races at the series penultimate round of the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge being held at Manfeild.
Starting from the front row in steady rain, Reynolds in the #8 Hampsta Indians bar Porsche 997 got the better start for the 12-lap race around the 3.03 kilometre circuit – a lead he continually extended to the chequered flag.
“We got a good start, Matt Halliday got a bit of a jump, but I got the better drive and got in to turn one leading. So I put my head down; got a few good laps in early and saved my tyres – taking the win,” said Reynolds.
Although the 24-year-old Melbourne based driver had a distracting build-up to the race when the in-board air-jack in his car failed as the team were putting it on the ground.
“It collapsed just before the start of the race when it was being used to lower the car, so there was a bit of running around to get the car properly sorted – so a special thanks to the Triple X boys for that.”
While Reynolds was out front, a battle for third see-sawed between Matt Halliday and Triple X Motorsport team-mates Craig Baird and Daniel Gaunt. Baird in the #1 Mad Butcher ZM Porsche 997 took the initial advantage, before losing track position that let Gaunt in the #3 Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997 try for position. A skirmish involving Gaunt allowed Baird the position at the flag, with Courtney Letica in the #5 Altherm Porsche finishing behind in fourth.
Team principal Shane McKillen finished seventh in the #2 VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 with Christchurch car dealer Paul Kelly 12th in the #90 Paul Kelly Motor Company Porsche 997.
With today’s result extending Baird’s overall title lead to 146 points, Sunday’s races include two more 75 point scoring opportunities with the morning 12-lap race followed by an afternoon 16-lap reverse top-six grid finale.
Adding to the Triple X Motorsport victory count, Whangarei’s Scott Harrison drove the #5 Carpet One Suzuki to an emphatic maiden race win in the Suzuki Swift Cup series having set fastest time in the morning qualifying.
Toyota Racing Series drivers Earl Bamber and Stefan Webling started from second and third respectively on the grid for the 20-lap Dan Higgins memorial race, however neither finished despite both taking turns leading the field in the early stages.
Media: Lance Hastie; Photo: SportProMedia.com 13th Feb 10
