Baird to race in V8SuperTourer series

Baird to race in V8SuperTourer series

Multiple New Zealand and Australia race champion Craig Baird, MNZM, has joined the inaugural V8SuperTourer race series as one of the first 16 drivers set to begin racing in February 2012 at Hampton Downs in the Waikato.

The Gold Coast-based Kiwi, says the new race car category is the golden opportunity to add to his 27 championship titles collection. Baird will drive one of the brand new 550 horsepower cars for the United Video Racing team.

“This is exactly what the sport has been looking for, for a long time. And we’re seeing championship-winning drivers drop what they’re currently doing to join in – it really will be a series of champions,” said Baird.

Narrowly missing repeat wins in both the NZV8 and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge championships this past race season; Baird can’t wait to line up against fellow V8 Supercar driver Greg Murphy in the purpose-built new race car category.

Along with Melbourne-based Murphy, a list of former V8 touring car champions have already committed to the seven round series, including three-time winner John McIntyre, two-time winner Andy Booth and Paul Manuell.

“I’ve had confirmation from quite a few other top drivers who intend on being there. So with the backing of United Video and Garry Pedersen we have now secured our own spot in the series,” he added.

Boss of the United Video-branded race team, Garry Pedersen, MNZM, says the momentum behind the class is really showing in the sheer number of cars committed to running. One of the most experienced motor race engineers in New Zealand; Pedersen is also a driving force behind the new concept race car and series.

“Every day we’re hearing of someone wanting to know how they can get involved, so it makes it even more appealing for the likes of Craig to be included. He likes winning series and championships,” said Pedersen, who is Baird’s father-in-law.

“We know it will be an even more exciting season with at least one of the teams talking to a European manufacturer about adapting their body style to the V8SuperTourer chassis. So it will be more than just a Ford or Holden line-up, the door is open for other brands to appear.”

Baird is next in line to test the V8SuperTourer prototype, ahead of the team taking delivery of their own car later in the year.

Each car is identical behind the bodywork, using the same monocoque chassis powered by a US hand-built 7-litre engine coupled to a Quaife 6-speed sequential transmission into a Ford nine-inch rear differential. The difference in appearance comes from the body shape fitted, be it a large four-door sedan Holden, Ford, Toyota, BMW or another manufacturer with a similar style model.

“There is no doubt people love the car’s engine size. That it has to be powerful because it’s big – just like the Mitre 10 ad. It’s giving us a good image and building its own spectator base without the cars having yet raced,” added Pedersen.

The United Video team has yet to confirm which body package they will race with.

“From what I’ve heard the car makes all the right noises and drives incredibly fast. So it’ll be up to our graphic designers to make it look appealing to fans and up to me to deliver the results,” concluded Baird.

ENDS/

© Scoop Media