Frank Bird’s Team Wins GT World Challenge Championship
In what can only be described as one of the best ever weekends in the near thirty year history of Paul Bird Motorsport, Frank Bird helped secure the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Silver Cup Championship to the PBM bike team’s fantastic 1-2 in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship following a double victory at Zandvoort.
Once again driving for the German-based Haupt Racing Team in the Mercedes-AMG GT3, Penrith-born Frank helped Australian teammate Jordan Love secure the driver’s championship in the Silver Cup and in doing so, the pair claimed the team’s title on the final race weekend of the season at the Dutch track.
After a successful season so far with two class wins and five further podium finishes, the team were just a single point behind the series leaders going into the final two races. Saturday's race started in unsettled weather conditions but on the rain-soaked track, Love started from second position in class. At the start of the race, he was able to move up a few places and handed the #77 car over to Bird as class leader leaving him to cross the line to win the Silver Cup, recording their third victory of the season, and claiming a remarkable sixth place in the overall standings.
Starting the final race day as the championship leader in the team’s class, Frank was able to take advantage of the difficult qualifying conditions and claim pole position in the Silver Cup to start the race from the second row of the grid. From there, the Cumbrian coped well with the difficult conditions in the race and handed over to Jordan who took another victory in the Silver Cup.
At the end of an eventful race, the Haupt Racing Team secured its fourth class win of the season and a strong sixth place overall meaning the team from Drees was the strongest Mercedes-AMG in the field this weekend. They won the Silver Cup team championship with a 17-point lead whilst Love was crowned driver's champion in his class.
As well as the team honours, Frank was able to secure fourth place in the driver's championship despite having to miss two recent races following the death of his instrumental father Paul last month..
Frank Bird, #77Mercedes-AMG Team HRT: “Wow, what a weekend where to even start! Firstly from my side it was fantastic to finally be back in the car in the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Silver Cup Championship. Overall I’m super happy with the weekend and it was great to finally piece everything together with P3 overall in qualifying and to lead the race outright in race two. Unfortunately the weather hit midway through the stint and we lost some time on slicks in the wet as it was a bit sketchy. It was fantastic that I could get my teammate over the line to win the Silver Cup Championship for him and help secure the team title too, which is a huge accomplishment and well deserved. Thanks to all the team for everything this year, it’s been a pleasure. Racing myself ultimately meant I couldn’t be present at Brands Hatch for the final British Superbike Championship round. That was left in great hands with my sister Jordan at the helm. Congratulations to our two riders, Tommy Bridewell and Glenn Irwin, for their outstanding seasons individually and to get our ninth BSB championship over the line and also a 1-2 in both races as well as in the championsip is the icing on the cake. They really did my dad proud! Thanks to all our sponsors for making this whole season happen.”
Pictures courtesy of www.gt-world-challenge-europe.com
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