Reigning Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia Champion Craig Baird is confident of a promising Phillip Island round this weekend after posting the fastest lap time in Friday practice.
The reigning Champion and current championship points leader set the quickest time in both Friday sessions with a fastest lap of 1:34.63, with his nearest title rivals Jonny Reid and Alex Davison setting the second and third quickest times for the day.
Matt Kingsley was the fourth fastest in Friday practice aboard his pineapple-liveried Porsche, with Steven Richards, Daniel Gaunt, Max Twigg, Nick Foster, Tom Tweedie and James Koundouris filling the top 10 positions in the timesheets.
New Zealander Baird was happy with his Friday form and is focussed on his Saturday assault, starting with Qualifying at 11:30am.
“Being fastest in practice is obviously a great way to start the weekend. We’re definitely in a better position now than we were here this time last year,” said Baird, who placed third in the 2011 Phillip Island Porsche round.
“You’ve got to be confident at this point in the weekend. There is such tight competition in this field this weekend that there are many guys capable of winning.
“You’ve obviously got the regular guys at the front, and even the top Elite Class drivers like Max Twigg will be pushing for positions near the front of the field. It will be a great weekend of racing.”
Twigg continued his top Phillip Island form by posted the fastest Friday lap time in the Elite Class.
The Melbourne-based driver won the round in the Elite Class at the Victorian circuit last season and finished today ahead of his class rivals Koundouris and Perth class round winner Shane Smollen.
Guest Driver Jeff Bobik finished Friday practice with the 10th and 11th fastest time in the first and second practice sessions, respectively.
The Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia field will next feature on track on Saturday at 11:30am for Qualifying, followed by Race 1 at 3:00pm.
Race schedule
Saturday May 19, 2012
11:30am – 11:50am Qualifying
3:00pm – 3:25pm Race 1
Sunday May 20, 2012
11:05pm – 11:30pm Race 2
2:40pm – 3:05pm Race 3
Broadcast Schedule
Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia – Race 3 (as live)
Time: 3:00pm (AEST), 2:30pm (ACST), 1:00pm (AWST)
Date: Sunday May 20, 2012
Channel: Seven (Sydney, Brisbane), 7mate (Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth)
Note: Broadcast time in delayed from race.
