Jonny Reid
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| Jonny Reid | |
 |
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| Nationality |  New Zealander |
| Date of Birth | October 18, 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Auckland (New Zealand) |
| 2008 A1 Grand Prix | |
| Debut season | 2005 |
| Current team | A1 Team New Zealand |
| Starts | 20 |
| Wins | 3 |
| Poles | 2 |
| Fastest laps | 2 |
| Previous series | |
| 2005 2004 2003 2002-2003 |
All-Japan Formula 3 Euro 3000 Series Formula Holden New Zealand Formula Ford |
| Championship titles | |
| 2003 | New Zealand Formula Ford |
Jonny (Jonathan Ross) Reid (born 18 October 1983 in Auckland) is a New Zealand racing driver. Jonny comes from a well-known New Zealand racing family. Both his grandfather and his father were known kiwi racers. His father, Clayton Reid, was a New Zealand champion in karting. Jonny presents himself as a "fine kiwi gentleman" and says that "racing is the sole love of his life".
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[edit] Karting
Like all others, Johnny started racing in karting at the very young age of 8. In 1996, Jonny won his first title, the New Zealand North Island Championship in the rookie class. In 1997, he went on to win the North Island Championship in the Junior Class. In 1998, he won the North Island Championship again. However, this time in the Junior Intercontinental Class. In 1999, Jonny won his first New Zealand Championship in Junior Stock which precedied by wins in the Pro series.
[edit] Formula Ford
In 2002, Jonny won the New Zealand Formula Ford Festival for the second year in a row, the New Zealand Championship and the New Zealand Grand Prix. With the aid of Andrew Neale and John Crawford, Johnny achieved his goal of winning the prestigious Motorsport New Zealand's Steel Trophy for his dedication, skill, an excellent level of professionalism and sportsmanlike attitude.
[edit] Formula 4000
In early 2003, Jonny tested for Graham Watson's Ralt Australia team, driving in Formula 4000. He had good season with four pole positions, six front row starts, the fastest lap in every race and wins in five races, winning four rounds altogether. Jonny finished the season with pole position and wins in both races in Round 6 at Eastern Creek.
[edit] Barthurst 1000
Reid also drove at the famous Bathurst 1000 race, gaining considerable note when, after only six laps, he had laid down a time that would have put him on the front row of the Konica race. His race did not eventuate, however, when the car suffered a terminal mechanical fault after only a few laps whilst being driven by his team mate.
[edit] A1 Grand Prix
In 2005, Reid was called up by his country to race in the A1 Grand Prix. There he partnered Matt Halliday where they racked up 77 points in total to put A1 Team New Zealand in 4th place.
In 2006, Reid was again called up to race in A1 Grand Prix. Reid drives a car which by the fans and media has been dubbed as the Black Beauty. He qualified first at Masaryk Circuit, A1 Team New Zealand's first pole position. In the sprint race Reid collided with Nico Hulkenberg, Team Germany, before the first corner, and they both ran off the track.
Jonny also raced in the fourth round of the A1GP in Malaysia in Sepang International Circuit, where, again, Nico Hulkenberg did not give him enough space on the track and both cars touched on the first corner. However, Jonny managed to continue racing even with the damaged suspension and came 3rd in the sprint race. This was the first podium finish for the Team.NZ. After doubling Team New Zealand's points in Malaysia, Jonny was unexpectedly selected to drive in the fifth round in Indonesia. In Indonesia Reid managed to get the fastest qualifying times, first place in the sprint race and first place in the feature race. The double wins means Reid will now be racing in the Taupo, New Zealand event in January, 2007.
“Taupo is in the back of my mind..." says Jonny. “But this is a hot seat and you have to be performing the whole time if you want to keep it. I’m just looking to better my game every time I get in that car, so I’ll be pushing myself to qualify on pole and win races. That’s my focus.”
On the 08 January 2008, Jonny raced his A1 GP car 'Black Beauty' against an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-200ER passenger jet at Auckland International Airport. The first try saw the Boeing race past Jonny and lift into the sky, while the second attempt saw Black Beauty beat the 777 just as it was about to lift off. The car reached about 300km\h, while the Boeing 777, with little fuel and no passengers or cargo, reached about 280km\h before it was forced to lift into the sky. The race was publicity for the upcoming Taupo A1GP world championship.
[edit] Indy Lights
Jonny Reid passed his Firestone Indy Lights rookie test on May 19, 2008 at Iowa Speedway and will be driving for Integra Motorsports in the 2008 Firestone Freedom 100 on May 23 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in his series debut.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Reid passes Indy Lights rookie test, Associated Press, May 19, 2008
