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New Zealand made A1GP history
today dominating the Taupo Sprint race from lights-to-flag to take its first
ever A1GP win at home. It became only the second team to win a home race in the
history of the thrilling series. Jonny Reid led from pole to take the chequered
flag and score 15 crucial points, moving ahead of France for second in the
championship.
Current title leader Switzerland's race was over on the first lap due to a
turn one collision, moving the Kiwis to just five points behind the Swiss in the
championship battle.
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.'
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