13/03/2008
NEWS STORY
The New Zealand A1GP team is looking to clean up its act at this weekend's 8th Round of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport in Mexico with a mantra of "no more mistakes".
Elementary errors have plagued the team in the past two rounds in Sydney and Durban, causing Black Beauty to slip from championship leader to 3rd on the points table, 20 points behind Switzerland and 10 points adrift of France.
With just three rounds to go in this season's 10-round championship Kiwi driver Jonny Reid says the team is determined to prove the meagre points haul from the last two rounds has been an aberration. "Everyone's very positive. We know we've got a fight on our hands, but we know we can rise to the challenge if we're clean and precise," Reid said. "We just can't afford any errors like we've had in the past couple of rounds. We need to play it carefully and smartly, but we don't have anything to lose now. All the pressure is on Neel Jani. The Swiss have the lead, but it's not a comfortable one and we've seen the top of the table change throughout the championship."
Reid accepted a last-minute invitation to test for the Fortec Motorsport team in Spain last week and says the trip was beneficial on a number of levels. Not only did he keep driving, jumping in the Formula Renault 3.5 single-seater, he also had the chance to have a heart to heart with his A1GP team mates in England. "Everyone had their own time and space to deal with the disappointment of Durban before getting together and facing up to our situation. We can't dwell on the past, but we're determined to learn from the mistakes, accept the facts and move on. We have to bounce back, regain the lead and win the title. It's not going to be easy, but we're not lacking for motivation. Having finished second in the championship last season there's only one spot we covet this year."
Reid returns to the 4.42km (2.74 miles) Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit –some 2,285 metres (7,500 feet) above sea level – with unfinished business.
After setting the fastest time in practice last year, the team misjudged the areas to improve Black Beauty's set-up and could only qualify in14th spot for the Sprint Race. A puncture blew Reid's chances in that opening race and only a courageous drive from 16th to finish 6th in the Feature Race salvaged a potentially grim weekend. "Qualifying wasn't a strong point last year but we've identified the areas we need to improve," Reid said. "I know a couple of key sections on the track that will make a difference and there's no reason why we can't nail a solid result in Mexico."
Despite an intensive travel schedule in recent weeks – from New Zealand to South Africa, on to the United Kingdom, across to Spain and back to the UK before spending some time in California on the way to Mexico – Reid has been training hard to cope with the physical challenges the Mexican round poses. "It's a bumpy surface and with no power steering on the A1GP cars it is tough work keeping the car smooth and steady," he said. "It's particularly daunting for your arms and, overall, it's physically draining because of the high altitude. You simply can't fuel your body with the same level of oxygen. I've been hitting the roads in the UK to crank up my cardiovascular levels…and to keep warm because it's been a climate shock after the summer we've been having back home!"
The 24-year-old is keen to see the amendment to the infamous Peraltada corner, which A1GP officials have modified slightly by adding an extra chicane at the entry to the extremely fast sweeper. "It's supposed to provide a braking zone and potentially an overtaking opportunity, but it does take a little of the 'ballsiness' away because it is really, really quick with walls on the inside and outside. It's probably a lot safer given the pit entry is right at the apex and cars were often slowing down in front of you to go into the pits. I enjoyed it the other way, but I'll reserve judgment until I've had a good look and driven it a few times."