Motorsport: Jonny Reid signs up for SuperTourers

Former NZ A1GP driver Jonny Reid will race a V8 in the new SuperTourers class. Photo / Supplied

Former A1GP driver Jonny Reid has joined the V8 SuperTourer Championships and will drive a Ford FG Falcon V8 SuperTourer in the new series.

Reid, who was runner up in the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 A1GP championships for Team New Zealand, will race for International Motorsport alongside the team's other nominated driver Ant Pederson.

The 28-year-old has enjoyed two successful years in the Porsche GT3 Cup, finishing runner-up to fellow V8 SuperTourer driver Craig Baird in the 2009-2010 New Zealand Championships before moving to the Australian championship last season where he again finished runner-up to Baird.

Winning in V8 SuperTourers in 2012 - and turning the tables on Baird - is his major objective.

"My aim is to win races and championships whenever I get behind the wheel," he said. "I am very focused and motivated to be part of this new era of New Zealand motor racing.

"International Motorsport is also extremely motivated, and I am very confident we can get to grips with this brand new car and category quickly. I believe we have a real chance of winning the inaugural V8 SuperTourers championship.

"As this opportunity to drive has come around late in the day, both International Motorsport and myself are working together closely to raise the sponsorship funding to complete the full season.

"I feel very upbeat and am looking forward to testing the new car for the first time on February 10. The first round is very soon after the test at Hampton Downs and I believe it will be a very competitive race. I am confident that with my experience and the International Motorsport team around me that we will be able to gather information and understand the engineering of the new car at a rapid pace and win races."

Reid has experience in Australian GT Cars and in the Auto GP European Series which utilises the old A1 GP cars.

- APNZ