01/05/2008
NEWS STORY
New Zealand driver Jonny Reid is not giving up on his dream of winning the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.
Black Beauty heads into this weekend's 10th and final round at Brands Hatch in second place, 29 points behind Switzerland, with 32 points on offer.
Snatching the title would require a dramatic Hollywood-style ending, but Reid is determined to play the leading man.
"I have a belief in the car and myself that we can do this," he said. "The team is definitely capable of winning both races and from there – who knows? – there are so many variables. I'm one of many drivers who will put the heat on Switzerland in qualifying and the races. If they're timid anything could happen. While they're trying to minimise mistakes, keep out of trouble and not trip themselves up we'll be going flat out because we have nothing to lose."
This weekend will see the 64th, and last, race in the Zytec-powered Lola single-seaters, before Ferrari takes over as the chassis designer and engine provider for next season and beyond. Reid says he's been "so in the zone" trying to win the championship that he's only just appreciated that season three is all but over.
"I love what I do and with the season coming to an end it's suddenly dawned on me that I won't be getting my A1 adrenalin burst for a while," Reid said. "I want to drive the pants off the car, give it everything and not really think about the outcomes too much, just let it flow. We're all good at what we do and it's a case of going for it…and seeing what happens."
Reid flirted briefly with Brands Hatch last season, but got his hand smacked after misjudging a corner and hitting a barrier. As Reid nursed his injured wrist and pride, Matt Halliday took over to land the point the Kiwis needed to secure the runner-up position in the championship.
"I only had one full lap on the circuit before I had the crash and hurt my hand, but that was last year and I'm a lot more in the zone this time around," Reid said. "I'm going to take my time and do things properly in learning the circuit and preparing myself and the car for qualifying."
The Kiwi cause has been helped by securing Chris van der Drift as Rookie Driver for Friday's two 25-minute rookie sessions. Team Manager John Sears says snaring the 22-year-old Italian-based Kiwi would help in the set up of Black Beauty.
"We need a bit more data given we lost valuable learning time in practice last year because of Jonny's crash," Sears said.
Van der Drift had a brief stint testing Black Beauty at Silverstone in August 2006, ahead of season two, and Sears expects him to fly around Brands Hatch.
"He knows the track through the fairly rapid Formula Masters and I think he'll do a good job and provide us with a positive start to the weekend."
New Zealand has led the championship on three separate occasions during the season, but basic mistakes have allowed Switzerland off the hook in the second half of the campaign.
"There have been some areas where we could've done better as a team, so this is our final chance to prove to ourselves that we're world class," Reid said. "My plan is to go out there and enjoy it. This is the last time we'll be together as a team this season and it's going to be exciting and thrilling."