Podium Success For Bird At Spa
Haupt Racing Team were in action at the weekend with Frank Bird and teammate Jordan Love contesting the International GT Open at the iconic Circuit de Spa-Franchorchamps where they came away with a superb podium finish.
The German team were making their first appearance in the International GT Open with Cumbrian-born Bird and Australian Love at the wheel of the BILSTEIN Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Contesting the PRO class for the two hour and twenty-minute race at the iconic Belgian track, the pair qualified in P6 on Saturday to secure a good grid position for the following day. The race itself was shaped by several lengthy safety car phases, which repeatedly brought the field back together and produced a lot of action and battles for position around the 7.004-kilometre track.
Running third as the race entered its final stages, Penrith’s Bird was embroiled in a thrilling three-way battle for several laps with the two cars ahead of him, eventually, finishing in an impressive second place, less than five seconds behind the winners.
Ultimately, only the fact that all guest starters in the GT Open are required to spend an extra ten seconds stationary during the second pit stop prevented Haupt Racing Team from taking the overall victory.
Frank Bird: “A good GT Open debut for both Jordan and I and great to be part of HRT this weekend. It was a good race overall, but we didn’t quite have the pace to keep with the Lamborghinis. The team did a good job on the pit stops so thanks to them and thanks to Jordan also, so hopefully I can be back for another race soon.”
Jordan Love: "Many thanks to Frank and the team. I had a lot of fun over the weekend. Racing in a different series is very valuable. It's a bit of a shame we finished in P2, but I am happy."
Sean Paul Breslin, HRT Team Principal: "Strong result for the team in the first race of the GT Open. The crew worked very hard, we had a good strategy, and the drivers made a fantastic job to bring the car home safely. Overall, a very enjoyable weekend in Spa."
