About Jordan Baldwin
Jordan is a 20 year old race car driver who is rapidly putting together an enviable record in NZ Motorsport.
He has been motor racing for just on five years, first year aged 14 in youth mini stock (speedway), taking out Rookie of the Year title, two and a half years in Senior Rotax Light Karting at National level and after winning the BMW Race Driver Series Scholarship, he competed in the E30 BMW Series 2016-‘17 season, taking yet another Rookie Title.
He finished 2nd overall in his class at the ENEOS North Island Endurance Series 2017 and made his debut in the Toyota 86 Championship series which kicked off 3rd to 5th November 2017 at Pukekohe Park Raceway sharing the programme with the Australian V8 Supercars.
Not content with just his achievements on track, Jordan has also excelled off the track, he was awarded a place on the NZ Motorsport Elite Academy Programme of 2017 joining a final group of 8 hand selected candidates who competed with each other for a week, under intense conditions at the academy in Dunedin, to find the top achiever for 2017 ...... Jordan took out the top spot, being named the top graduate from the class of 2017.
He was further tested, guided and observed by the Elite Academy board until May of 2018 and as a result of his level of excellence throughout the year, both on and off the track, he was awarded the prestigious, Ian Snellgrove Trophy at the NZ Motorsport Awards Dinner in Wellington on the 27th June 2018.
After all 6 rounds completed in the Toyota 86 Championship, Jordan has been on the podium no less than 17 times, he stood on the podium at the very first meeting on debut at Pukekohe, he set the fastest lap in two of the three races that weekend, he has taken numerous 2nd and 3rd places throughout the season to date, 2nd place overall at Ruapuna, 3rd overall at Teretonga .... he dominated the Rookie Championship title and was in contention for an overall championship challenge until a couple of DNF's slowed his charge. Jordan took out more podium finishes in his rookie season than any other rookie has done on debut in the series to date.... he will be looking to put his name on the Toyota 86 Championship Trophy in the 2018-19 season which gets under way in November 2018.
Results and achievements for 2017-18 TOYOTA 86 series
Podium finish on debut at Pukekohe November 2017
Set fastest lap in Race 2 and Race 3 Pukekohe November 2017
1st place in Rookie Championship Title Round 1
1st place Rookie Championship Title Round 2
1st place Rookie Championship Title Round 3
Two Podium finishes Round 3
2nd place Overall for Round 3
1st place Rookie Championship Title Round 4
Two Podium finishes Round 4
3rd place Overall for Round 4
Podium finish round 5
1st place Rookie Championship title holder round 5
Podium finish round 6
Toyota 86 Rookie Championship winner for 2018
Further Achievements for 2018
Co-Driver Ssangyong Racing Endurance series, assisted Peter Bennett to series win 2018.
Awarded Ian Snellgrove Trophy for excellence, NZ Motorsport Elite Academy 2017-18
Results and achievements for 2016-17 BMW series
BMW Race Driver Series Scholarship winner 2016-17
BMW Race Driver Series ‘Rookie of the year’ 2016-17
Finished 4th Overall BMW Race Driver Series Championship 2016-17
Further Achievements for 2016-17
First Place Graduate, NZ Motorsport Elite Academy Programme 2017.
Auckland Stockcar Championship ‘Rookie of the year’ 2016-17
2nd Overall in class on debut, ENEOS North Island Endurance Series (1hr Endurance)
1st placed Toyota TR86 on debut, ENEOS North Island Endurance Series (1hr Endurance)
Upcoming announcements for 2018-19 season
Jordan will compete again in the ever popular Toyota TR86 Championship series, acknowledged currently as one of the leading Tier One saloon car racing programmes in New Zealand, his 2018 TR86 campaign will start at Pukekohe Raceway in November 2018 and will conclude at Hampton Downs Motorport Park in March 2019.
Jordan has the overall Championship title firmly in his sights as he confidently and efficiently steps up to this next stage of his driver development programme.
In September 2018, Jordan will make his debut in the 700hp, ex V8 Supercar Falcon owned by Carter's Tyre Services. He will campaign this impressive car in the South Island Endurance Series which runs at Ruapuna, Teretonga and Levels in Timaru.
Keep an eye on Jordan's Facebook page for photo's, details, dates and updates.
Looking Forward - Plans for 2018-19 season
Jordan has the future firmly in his thoughts, he already has his eye on the Australian racing scene to give him international experience and to further his career by showcasing his ability in front of International race teams. He is currently making plans, and putting the budget together, to compete in the Australian V8 Touring Car Series in Australia ( A feeder class to the V8 Supercars) beginning April 2018.
What else should we know about Jordan?
Q: How old are you?
A: 20
Q: What school do you go to?
A: Massey University – Albany
Q: What are you studying?
A: Bachelor of Commerce, Major in Marketing, Minor in Finance
Q: What are your Interests?
A: Motorsport, Football and Golf
Q: When did you begin Racing?
A: In 2012 at the age of 14
Q: What are your most memorable moments?
A: So far, they are competing as support class in the TOYOTA 86 at Pukekohe with the Australian V8's, winning the BMW Scholarship August 2016, Graduating No 1 at the 2017 NZ Motorsport Elite Academy and most recently ... testing in a V8 Supercar at Philip Island in Australia, that was the highlight of my driving experiences so far, to be coming down the main straight of Philip Island at 275kph with over 600hp under my foot and the most stunning, turquoise blue sea views flooding my windscreen.... it's impossible to describe ...... but then to be told that as a result of my two half day test results, I would be offered a drive in the 2018 Australian V8 Touring car Championship, that will take some beating in the most memorable moments category!!
Q: What is your current Racing Class?
A: I'm currently racing in the NZ Toyota TR 86 Championship Series
Q: What engine does it run?
A: A 2ltr Naturally aspirated boxer engine
Q: And the chassis?
A: It's a Toyota 86 2 door coupe, built to race spec by Toyota Racing Development.
Q: And finally, what are your racing goals for the next 5 years?
A: V8 Supercars, I'm focused on it, planning for it and determined to get there.... watch this space!!
Other interests:
Jordan has a passion for dirt racing as well as circuit racing and towards the end of last year, he bought a proven Stockcar to quench his thirst for hanging the back end of his car out wide in the mud …. he hit the ground running from the very outset and from the first meeting in October 2016, was mixing it at the pointy end with the seasoned veterans, April 2017 saw the last of the seasons race meetings and another award for Jordan ….. ‘Auckland Stockcar Rookie of the Year title for 2017’.
Click here to follow Jordan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordanbaldwinmotorsport/
