Driving standards in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia will be in great hands this season – now under the control of five time series champion, Craig Baird.
Baird will swap his racing duties in the Porsche championship for a new role as Driving Standards Adviser and Driver Coach, starting from the season opening Clipsal 500.
Baird’s unprecedented level of success in Carrera Cup includes 21 round wins, 60 race wins and 43 round podiums along with five championship titles – 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Baird is eager to begin his new role as Driving Standards Adviser and Driver Coach – positions he has occupied in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series for the past four seasons.
“Continuing as part of the Carrera Cup championship is an exciting prospect and I’m looking forward to adding to the series from a different angle,” said Baird.
“The championship is home to some of the country’s best semi-professional racers, who I look forward to assisting to help them get the most out of their Carrera Cup experience. There are also many young talented racers who I’m sure I could help fast-track their learning in the championship.
“Having watched drivers develop and improve in the GT3 Cup Challenge series has been very rewarding and it will be great to see a similar trend in Carrera Cup this season.”
Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager, Kurt Sakzewski, is excited about Baird joining the Porsche administrative team.
“Having Craig as part of our team has a two pronged benefit – his ability to coach drivers in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car is unrivalled while the respect he has from his fellow drivers and extensive experience makes him the perfect candidate to serve as Driving Standards Adviser,” said Sakzewski.
“Craig has added great value to our GT3 Cup Challenge series; his educational approach has increased the quality of racing and therefore, reduced the need for judicial intervention. He provided much to Carrera Cup as a driver and he will be greatly beneficial to the championship in his new role.”
In addition to Baird ‘s new Carrera Cup appointment, the New Zealander will continue as Driving Standards Adviser and Driver Coach for the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series.
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