KEY POINTS:
Porsche GT3 Cup specialist Craig Baird is likely to continue to set the pace when racing resumes at the big Southern 200 meeting at Timaru raceway next weekend.
Baird has his customary early lead in the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge points standings - 434 to runner-up David Reynolds' 343 and Jono Lester's 330 - but he cannot be complacent, say organisers.
Having won a race apiece already, Reynolds and Lester remain the immediate dangers for Baird though neither Daniel Gaunt nor Jody Vincent can be discounted yet.
Perennial hard-charger Vincent also had a strong season after upgrading from his 996 to one of the new MY2008 997 cars and is overdue for a race win of his own.
Australian Rodney Forbes, who impressed in his debut year in the New Zealand series last season, is returning and heading to Timaru in fifth place in this season's points standing.
The Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge joins fellow headliners the BNT V8s and the Toyota Racing Series on the programme at the Timaru and Teretonga meetings with support from the Super Trucks, MTA New Zealand Formula Fords, Suzuki New Zealand Production Racing series and Mini Challenge.
- NZPA
