Solid Results For Bird In Opening ALMS Rounds In Dubai
Cumbrian racing driver Frank Bird was competing in the opening two rounds of the 2023
Asian Le Mans Series held at the Dubai Autodrome at the weekend and came away with a pair of solid results.
As part of the German-based Haupt Racing Team, the Penrith-born driver was at the wheel of the team’s #6 Mercedes-AMG GT3 along with teammates Arjun Maini from India and Frenchman Michael Blanchemain for the pair of four-hour races.
With backing from Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM), Frank set third fastest time in the GT class during Friday’s Free Practice session which they couldn’t improve upon during the afternoon session, before Saturday’s qualifier for the opening race saw them placed 13th on the grid for the race later on in the evening.
Completing a total of 111 laps, Bird was quickest of the three-man team during his 30 laps at the wheel as they brought the car home to a superb seventh place finish to set themselves up for the following day’s second round.
However, despite a good start, it didn’t work out as well as the opening race due to the team being hit with a couple of penalties, but despite the setback, Frank contributed 27 laps with the team eventually finishing in 15th place in Sunday’s round two.
Frank Bird, HRT #6: "That’s the first two rounds of the Asian Le Mans Series done with a seventh and 15th place finish in the races. Both races were super fun to be in with fights going on all over the track. HRT prepared a great car but unfortunately in race two, some penalties cost us a better result. I’m looking forward to Abu Dhabi next weekend where hopefully we can use our experience from the first weekend and score two more solid finishes."
The action now moves on to the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi for the two final rounds this weekend (17/19 February).
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