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Black Beauty Well Positioned |
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Saturday, 13 October 2007 |
The New Zealand A1GP team will start from the front of the grid in tonight's opening Sprint Race at the second round of the World Cup of Motorsport in the Czech Republic.
Black Beauty, with Jonny Reid at the wheel, has qualified in second position behind South Africa on the 5.4km Brno circuit. Great Britain and Ireland are tucked in behind them on the second row for the 20-minute race.
"It was pretty good," Reid said. "We had clear runs, the car was fantastic and I was happy with my own performance."
Being caught in traffic meant the team could only qualify in 7th place of the 22 nations on the grid for the Feature Race, with the Netherlands on pole alongside South Africa.
But Reid isn't too disappointed with being in the 4th row given the 70 minute Feature Race gives him more opportunity to make up time.
"We've got two pit stops, a quality pit crew and every chance to gain ground during the race, whereas the Sprint Race is so short and sharp it's more important to qualify well.
"I'm looking forward to the races," Reid added. "I really enjoy this circuit and I'm feeling extremely positive."
Earlier in the day Reid set the fastest lap time in the final practice session, edging out the Netherlands, Ireland and Switzerland .
The drivers were greeted by blue skies and sunshine as they took to the track but were forced to be cautious as the ambient temperature registered a cool nine degrees centigrade and the track remained relatively damp and slippery due to early morning rain.
New Zealand is currently 9th in the championship. South Africa is the early front-runner followed by Great Britain and France.
Tonight's Sprint Race starts at 10pm with the Feature Race taking place from 2am tomorrow morning.
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