Following its recent resurrection by Giltrap Group Motorsport, the Repco NextGen NZ championship can proudly confirm that A1 Team New Zealand’s iconic racer will return home to Taupo Motorsport Park at the Giltrap Group Historic GP on January 16-18, 2026.
Driven by original star driver Jonny Reid, the restored A1GP racer will complete demonstration laps across the weekend on the same circuit where it captured the hearts and minds of New Zealand racing fans during the A1GP era in the mid-2000s.
It’s set to be a highlight amid a weekend of key moments celebrating the Giltrap Group’s 60th Anniversary this year.
The restored car was unveiled to the public for the first time at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park. Reid reunited with a car that stands as one of the most significant in New Zealand’s deep motorsport history.
“I look at it today, and I can’t even fathom that it was twenty years ago,” Reid said in a recent video produced by the Giltrap Group, documenting Black Beauty’s resurrection.
“The car doesn’t look 20 years old, it’s such a timeless car, and I’m just really looking forward to getting back in and sliding it around.
“Every lap, I was getting more confident in putting the throttle down and just really enjoying my time out there.
“I just can’t wait for the next time to drive the car again – it’s like we have a bond.”
A1 Team New Zealand enjoyed four successful seasons in what was dubbed the ‘World Cup of Motorsport’, including finishing runners-up in both the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons, with Matt Halliday and Jonny Reid sharing the driving duties.
The team won six races and scored 19 podium finishes across its remarkable, if brief, history.
Key highlights included starring performances at the pair of A1 Grand Prix of Nations events held at a then newly renovated Taupo Motorsport Park in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
With Reid behind the wheel, ‘Black Beauty’ finished third in both the Sprint and Feature races in the 2007 event.
In 2008, Reid improved; Black Beauty qualified on pole and went on to win the Sprint Race ahead of Germany and France, in front of an ecstatic home crowd.
As well as its on-track results, the car also entered the public consciousness through key publicity events, including driving across the Auckland Harbour Bridge and racing an Air New Zealand Boeing 777 at Auckland International Airport.
Black Beauty’s return to Taupo Motorsport Park will be a highlight of the Giltrap Group Taupo Historic GP in January, with an incredible array of classic cars and star drivers set to be in action across the weekend.
This event celebrates the rich history of motorsport with an international lineup of Formula Atlantics joining their New Zealand counterparts for intense on-track action and captivating off-track displays. A standalone race field dedicated to these iconic cars will see fierce competition for the coveted 2026 Historic GP title.
Alongside the Formula Atlantics, fans can enjoy historic categories such as HVRA Saloons, Arrow Wheels Heritage Touring Cars NZ, Classic Saloons, and EURO Class, while the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy nods to the future stars of motorsport.
The packed weekend includes show-and-shines, demonstration laps, engaging displays, and the fan-favourite Grid Walk.
For tickets, more information, and full event details, please visit www.nextgennz.co.nz
Header Image: Andrew Cornaga/PHOTOSPORT
