Today’s announcement that Kiwi motorsport legend Craig Baird has joined Team Kiwi Racing (TKR) to support the development of grass roots motorsport, is great news for all up and coming Kiwi drivers and New Zealand motorsport in general.
Team Kiwi Racing (TKR) has for over 16 years provided the opportunity for many of New Zealand’s top Kiwi drivers to follow and achieve their goals, dreams and aspirations of being the very best each individual driver could be at their chosen sport, both on the domestic and international motorsport stage.
Baird, who is regarded as one of the best race car drivers to come out of New Zealand, is no stranger to Team Kiwi Racing (TKR) having worked with Team Kiwi Racing (TKR) Founder David John previously when Baird first drove the New Zealand-based team’s TKR All Black V8 Supercar in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship in the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
During his time at Team Kiwi Racing (TKR) Baird put the Kiwi V8 Supercar machine on pole position, a massive effort for the small Kiwi outfit, and achievement many teams in the Championship will never achieve and something many in the sport still talk about today.
“I am excited to be part of this special opportunity to work again with Team Kiwi Racing (TKR), TKR founder David John and the chosen TKR Development Academy drivers so I can pass on some of the knowledge I have learnt over the years to help the young drivers with their development as professional race car drivers both on and off the race track, ” said Baird.
“I take my hat off to TKR founder David John for what he has done over the last 16 years for motorsport and drivers in this country which is why I am happy to be involved. He might not have the biggest bank account in the motorsport arena but he does have one of the biggest hearts I have seen in this sport which has seen John put others first on so many occasions over the last 16 years”.
Baird was sighted with TKR founder David John at Pukekohe Park Raceway last weekend in between his hectic international schedule which include Australian GT, Australia V8 Supercar and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia commitments as a driver and driver trainer.
“I am looking forward to this next exciting chapter in Team Kiwi Racing’s (TKR’s) motorsport history and working with Craig Baird and our chosen TKR Development Academy drivers again this year to achieve their goals, dreams and aspirations of being the very best they can at their chosen sport,” said David John.
“It is great to have Baird involved again this season at such an exciting time at Team Kiwi Racing (TKR). His wealth of knowledge and experience from around the world as driver trainer and mentor highlights how serious TKR is about the quality of advice and direction we provide as part of the TKR Development Academy and that we do not offer driver training or scholarship opportunities just for the sake of it”.
Driver evaluation will continue to take place over the coming weeks.
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