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Black Beauty is a nose away from second place in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport after a stunning rearguard effort at the fourth round in Zhuhai, China.
After qualifying well down the pack in 13th for the Sprint Race, Kiwi driver Jonny Reid salvaged a point by sneaking into 10 th place. But he showed real class and skill in leap-frogging from 10th on the grid to finish runner-up to India in the Feature Race.
Switzerland still tops the overall points table with 79 points, 19 clear of second placed France, but New Zealand is now just one point further adrift on 59 after what A1 Team.NZL spokesman Bob McMurray calls a "gutsy" drive by Reid.
"It was amazing, he truly did drive like he stole it," McMurray said. "He was so aggressive and determined, fortune must have favoured the brave because it was an incredibly courageous effort.
"This was motor racing at its best on an unforgiving circuit that punishes the slightest of errors. Factor in two outstanding pit stops and the team can be hugely pleased with their fightback for a superb second.
"All round it was a great team performance. Congratulations to India for their first ever race win. We appreciate how hard you had to work for that."
In the earlier Sprint Race five of the 22 cars were involved in a first lap collision, Australia, Brazil and South Africa tangling at turn four and Lebanon running off into the gravel, bringing out the safety car for three laps. Malaysia was forced out of the action due to a puncture sustained from running over debris caused by the incident.
The A1GP championship takes a five-week break before streaking into Lake Taupo for Round 5, the first event of 2008.
"What a fabulous precursor to our home race," McMurray said. "Jonny has shown he's determined to do well and…wow…we really are so proud of him."
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