A1 Grand Prix: New Zealand storms to home race win !

The packed grandstands were on their
feet as Reid crossed the line three seconds ahead of defending champion
Germany’s Christian Vietoris, to secure the first win for New Zealand
since taking the double victory in Brno earlier this season. Germany’s
Vietoris, who picked up a bonus point for clocking the fastest lap of
the race on lap nine, started from fourth on the grid but quickly closed
in on South Africa and France to take second by lap six.

New Zealand and Germany were joined on
the podium by France’s Loic Duval, who raced to a strong third place,
followed by South Africa’s Adrian Zaugg in fourth.

The Netherlands, Ireland and USA
finished fifth, sixth and seventh respectively while Portugal recorded
its best finish this season when Joao Urbano crossed the line in eighth
position. Australia’s John Martin and India’s Narain Karthikeyan fought
hard to take the final two points-paying positions while Pakistan’s Adam
Khan put in his best performance of the season to secure 11th behind
India.

A1 Team Lebanon was on course for its
first ever A1GP point when the Czech Republic’s Tomas Enge hit Chris
Alajajian from behind on the ninth lap, causing him to pit for repairs.
The Lebanese team finally finished the race in 15th behind China.

Four cars were involved in a first lap
incident, Malaysia, Switzerland, Brazil and Canada tangling into turn
one, bringing out the safety car for two laps. Malaysia’s Alex Yoong and
championship leader Switzerland’s Neel Jani were forced out of the
action but Canada’s Robert Wickens and Brazil’s Sergio Jimenez were able
to rejoin after pitting for repairs.

All 22 nations are now preparing for the
main event of the weekend at Taupo, a thrilling and unpredictable
70-minute Feature race, which starts at 15:00 this afternoon.

New Zealand’s Jonny Reid was ecstatic
with his first home win and is eager for another in this afternoon’s
Feature race:

‘It’s huge, absolutely huge. It’s the
greatest moment in my motorsport career. It means a lot to me and the
pressure’s been on all weekend. It’s been all go since I got back from
the Christmas break and it’s really, really satisfying to get one on the
board for everyone. The pole position was nice but now we’ve got the
points and that’s what matters in the championship. It’s great to have
all the home support and I’m just stoked to be number one in the Sprint.

‘We can definitely move forward in the
Feature, it’s a long race and we’ve just got to tune the car a bit more
for the conditions and we’ll be right there I’m sure. We’ve got to
control the emotions a little bit after this first victory and look for
another.’

Germany’s Christian Vietoris, who raced
to a superb second position, said:

‘The main aim was to get on the podium
for the Sprint race so I’m really happy. I feel really comfortable and
the car now feels fine and I’m looking forward to the Feature race. I’m
starting from the first row and with a good start I hope I can do well.’

France’s Loic Duval, who finished third
in the Sprint race and is on pole for the Feature race, said:

‘I think Adrian took a really good start
and actually was in front of Jonny. Christian could pass me in the first
two corners and then I managed to come back and get on the podium. I had
a good chance to overtake the South African car so it wasn’t too bad and
the car was ok. We are going to start first for the Feature race so I’m
still really confident. I have to take a good start and if I am leading
from the front then I think we have a really good chance.’

Sprint race results

Fastest lap: A1 Team
Germany’s Christian Vietoris set the fastest lap (1m15.740s) of the
Sprint race on lap nine.

A1 Team New Zealand’s Johnny Reid
rejoices first place!

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A1 Team New Zealand’s Johnny Reid on
the home run in front of his home crowd!

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