by Russell Atkins

TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW IN FULL: CLICK HERE

Jonny Reid has insisted that New Zealand will be back and fighting fit to make it third time lucky in A1GP in 2008/09, after finishing as runner-up in the nation vs nation series for the second successive campaign in 2007/08.

Whilst at one point the Kiwi entry looked to be in pole position to wrap up the laurels, an off-colour late-season run and a sublime performance from Neel Jani in the Swiss machine saw New Zealand enter the final meeting at Brands Hatch earlier this month fighting a rearguard action rather than bidding to steal the crown, with France and Great Britain pressing hard behind in the championship battle.

A disastrous qualifying session left Reid down in tenth and 17th positions respectively for the two races, and after finishing eighth in the first of them – guaranteeing Switzerland the laurels – the focus switched to preserving the runner-up spot in the title chase, what was looking like possibly a tall order given Robbie Kerr's front row grid slot.

“As I've won races and taken pole positions before, I went to Brands with the intention of taking pole position and winning both races,” the 24-year-old said, speaking exclusively to Crash.net Radio. “We didn't achieve that – I don't think we had the car to achieve that – and being my first time at Brands Hatch as well it was very challenging.

“I learned a lot and was driving very hard in the end. I know the circuit very well now – I think it's fantastic! I really love it.

“There are a lot of mid-speed corners and blind crests – you've got to have balls as well, so I like that. We just had a little bit too much oversteer, but other than that I really enjoyed my experience around Brands, and I'll be a much better driver around there the next time I come.”

Despite a worrying first half to the feature race, with 'Black Beauty' sitting some way outside the points-scoring positions and Kerr looking odds-on for victory, a slow pit-stop by the British crew and a late charge saw Reid take eighth place once more – and with Britain finishing second, it would prove enough to see off their threat by just a sole point for the second consecutive season.

“We were sitting in about 15th spot for a long time,” he acknowledged, “but once I got into some clear air I was able to belt some good lap times in, the boys gave me some very good stops and my in-laps and out-laps were really on the button; they were mega. As a team we did a great job both on and off the track.