The New Zealand A1 Grand Prix team overcame stifling humidity and the odd spot of rain during round five of the World Cup of motorsport in Malaysia to strengthen their hold on fourth place on the championship points table.
Matt Halliday drove well for sixth placings in the sprint and feature races, earning 10 points, the third-best haul of the weekend behind France and Switzerland, who were first and second in both races at Sepang.
France, winning their eighth race in a row, also scored a point for the fastest lap to take their tally to 92, an astonishing 27 points ahead of the Swiss, who overtook Brazil on the table.
Halliday started both races from the third row of the grid and did a stellar job to avoid stalled Brazilian Nelson Piquet jnr in the feature race, darting right towards the pit wall and then left to sweep round the immobile car.
New Zealand chief executive Bob McMurray was pleased with the weekend and relieved to be back on the pace after two rounds of slim pickings.
"Matt drove well because it was hard racing for everyone given the high humidity level," McMurray said.
"The spots of rain towards the end of the day added an extra challenge and he did a great job to stay on the track.
"We are pleased to maintain our record of being the only team to have finished every race, now 10 in total across the five rounds, and we're even happier to have an intact, undamaged race car."
Halliday said the races, particularly the feature race, were physically draining and mentally tough.
"We fought hard all day and gave it everything we had.
"It was disappointing to be caught by Alex Yoong [Malaysia] on the last lap, but to record two solid points hauls made it a special weekend. It has given us a great platform for next month's round in Dubai."
STANDINGS
1 France 92
2 Switzerland 65
3 Brazil 60
4 New Zealand 42
5 Britain 38
6 Malaysia 32
7 Netherlands 32
8 Ireland 29
9 Portugal 29
10 Australia 26
- NZPA
Motorsport: Black car holds on to fourth A1 spot
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