Quick Kiwi racer Jonny Reid has secured a life line for the remainder of the 2012 Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia season after negotiating a full- time drive in the Newcastle-themed Hunter Sports Group Porsche GT3 Cup car.
After missing the opening round of the championship, Reid was scouted to substitute Nathan Tinkler in the #5 Porsche for the season’s second event at Albert Park.
Reid impressed in Melbourne, qualifying in pole position and claiming three second place finishes, trailing reigning champion and eventual round victor Craig Baird in all three races.
After his remarkable performance at Albert Park, Reid was ecstatic to be confirmed as the driver of the Hunter Sports Group Porsche for the remainder of the 2012 Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia season.
“This is a huge opportunity for me and I’m very grateful. It was a massive boost for me after a tough start to the year and now I’m ready to get out there and win some races,” said Reid, who finished second in the 2011 Carrera Cup championship.
“We had a great weekend at Albert Park, particularly with posting pole position at the start of the weekend. It was a great way to start the event, especially being with a new team.”
Reid now sits sixth in the 2012 championship after missing one of the two rounds completed; however the New Zealander suggests that the championship win isn’t on his radar, yet.
“You never say never, but the championship win isn’t on my mind at the moment; it’s more on winning races and getting the best results possible for the team and for myself.
The championship win is a bit of a long shot at this stage, but I’m certainly looking to be in the top three of the championship by the end of the year.”
Meanwhile, team owner Nathan Tinkler suggests Reid was the obviously replacement for the rest of the 2012 Carrera Cup season.
“Jonny is obviously a great talent and it would be a shame to see him absent from the category any longer,” said Tinkler.
“Jonny's performance at Albert Park showed that he is a class act in a Porsche and is capable of winning Carrera Cup races.
“I was unsure as to which races I could attend this year, so it made perfect sense to give Jonny the chance to continue his successful run in the championship.”
Reid’s next event with Hunter Sports Group will be at the third round of the Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia championship at Perth’s Barbagallo Raceway on May 04-06, 2012.
