Triple X driver Baird named in New Year honours list
Thursday 31 December 2009, 8:21AM
By Triple X Motorsport
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Triple X Motorsport Porsche driver Craig Baird has been named in the 2010 New Year honours list for services to motorsport.
Currently on holiday north of Auckland, the 39-year-old Queensland based Kiwi says today’s announcement is a humbling acknowledgment of his 21 New Zealand motor race championship titles.
“This is the sort of thing you joke about as a kid to one day be named by the Queen – so for her to regard what I’ve done is an honour in itself,” he said.
“It’s been a very special year, not only cracking the 21 championship title mark, but to also be awarded the prestigious Jim Clark Trophy and a Special Citation Award at the Motorsport New Zealand awards dinner in May was a pretty big deal.”
With his first New Zealand title aged 15, Baird has a long and illustrious motor-race career in many classes and countries around the world. Currently the leader in the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge driving for Auckland based Triple X Motorsport, Baird also races in the NZ V8 series for father-in-law Gary Pedersen.
Occasionally joined track-side by wife Louise and his two children, Baird thanks all those around him who have helped him along the way.
“We all know and keep saying it’s a team sport – and that is so true. Without my wife behind me and the likes of Triple X Motorsport I wouldn’t be adding championship titles and be recognised in such a special way.”
Thrilled to hear the news, Triple X Motorsport entertainment director Michael Morton says the team always look forward to working with Baird and his family and today’s announcement reinforces what they aim to achieve:
“It’s a very special moment for the team and everyone involved. To be recognised for his professionalism and past results puts a cap on what has been a great year for Craig. Success breeds success and there is no doubt you need to have the right people around you – especially when you’re starting a new team and want to bring drivers through. Craig has the perfect blend of personality, professionalism and work/life balance that helps us get on and deliver results.”
Preparing for the 2010 leg of the summer championship season, Baird and the Triple X Motorsport team head south in the early New Year for two back-to-back race weekends starting with Teretonga 15 January, followed by Timaru 22-24 January.