Jonny Reid - A1 Grand Prix

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 the team 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 Hülkenberg of Team Germany, before the first corner, and they both ran off the track.

Reid also raced in the fourth round of the A1GP in Malaysia in Sepang International Circuit, where he and Hülkenberg collided once again. The German did not give him enough space on the track and both cars touched on the first corner. However, Reid 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. After doubling Team New Zealand's points in Malaysia, Reid 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..." “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 8 January 2008 Reid raced his A1GP 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 300 km/h, while the Boeing 777, with little fuel and no passengers or cargo, reached about 280 km/h before it was forced to lift into the sky. The race was publicity for the upcoming Taupo A1GP race.