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Baird to join Muscat as co-driver for Highlands endurance race
Erebus Motorsport driver Richard Muscat will be partnered with Erebus Motorsport V8 co-driver Craig Baird for the 101-lap GT endurance race at Highlands Motorsport Park in New Zealand next month.
The Muscat-Baird pairing will undoubtedly be amongst the strongest in the field with Muscat having led the Australian GT Championship presented by Pirelli since round one this year, and Baird having won the Adelaide round of the 2013 Australian GT Championship the last time he drove the Erebus Motorsport SLS AMG GT3.
Muscat, who recently visited Highlands Motorsport Park for the first time, is pleased to be joined by Baird for the endurance race.
“Craig is one of the best GT drivers in Australasia, if not the best, so it will be fantastic to have him on board,” said Muscat.
“I’ve raced against him in different categories like in Carrera Cup last year and at the 101-lap GT endurance race at Phillip Island earlier this year, so I know he’s a great driver and a very tough competitor.
“And as he raced at Highlands in the 101 last year, his past experience will help us I’m sure.”
Building on his extensive relationship with Erebus Motorsport, most recently as co-driver to Lee Holdsworth in the V8 Supercars Pirtek Enduro Cup rounds, Baird is looking forward to getting back into the SLS AMG GT3 and joining Muscat.
“Richard is a great young driver and a standout talent which he’s proven this year,” said the five-time Australian Porsche Carrera Cup champion.
“The main purpose of the trip to New Zealand is to make sure he wins the Australian GT Championship on the Saturday.
“And then hopefully we can get a win in the endurance race on the Sunday, which would be a nice way for Erebus to finish off the year.
“I won both races in the SLS at Adelaide last year for Erebus, so I know that the car and team are a strong combination.
“And with Richard being such a mature young driver, I’m really looking forward to it.”
The 101-lap endurance race on Sunday November 9, which will include a Le Mans-style run to the cars at the beginning of the race, will be a non-championship event.
However with the CAMS Australian Tourist Trophy being awarded to the competitors who score the most points over the two endurance races of the year, Highlands Motorsport Park and Phillip Island, stakes are high.
“Even though Sunday is a non-championship race, the Tourist Trophy will be up for grabs, and with Jack [Le Brocq] and me having finished in second place at Phillip Island back in May, we have a good chance of winning the trophy if Craig and I qualify and race well at Highlands,” said Muscat.
“From what I’ve seen of the track from my recent visit, with the technical mid part of the track and the fast corners, it should suit the SLS and me very well.
“And I’ve done a lot of endurance racing this year, for example with the Spa 24-Hours, so the 101 shouldn’t be a problem.”
Racing at Highlands Motorsport Park will commence with two 40-minute races to complete the 2014 Australian GT Championship on Saturday 8th November, prior to the 101-lap non-championship endurance race on Sunday, November 9.
Muscat currently leads the Australian GT Championship by 32 points.