Craig Baird

Craig Baird, born on July 22, 1970, in Hamilton, New Zealand, is a highly accomplished former racing driver. Baird began his motorsport journey at the tender age of four, racing karts and becoming a seven-time New Zealand Kart champion and a two-time Asia-Pacific Champion. He transitioned to circuit racing in 1985, achieving significant success in Formula Ford, winning the NZ Formula Ford championship in 1987/88. His early career also included multiple Formula Pacific Championship wins and three consecutive New Zealand Grand Prix titles from 1991-1993.

Baird dominated the New Zealand Touring Car Championship, securing four consecutive titles from 1994 to 1997 while driving BMWs. He also gained experience in the British Touring Car Championship in 1998. Later in his career, Baird found considerable success racing Porsches, winning the Australian Porsche Carrera Cup in 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2013. In 2012, Porsche Germany recognized him as the most successful Porsche Cup driver worldwide.

Craig Baird's contributions to motorsport were recognized with a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2010. Today, he serves as the driving standards observer for the Australian Supercars Championship, continuing to contribute his expertise to the sport.