Jonny Reid praised the never give up attitude of himself and co-driver Neil Foster, which helped them score a podium in the North Island Endurance Series opener.
At one stage, Reid and Foster were four laps down on the leaders in the three-hour race at Pukekohe Park on Sunday.
The No.22 Audi R8 had started the race on pole and led a portion of the first hour.
However, when a scattered rain shower began to dampen the circuit, the International Motorsport team made the unfortunate decision to pit for wet tyres.
As it turned out, slick tyres were still the fastest option.
But an incredible recovery drive by Reid and Foster, highlighted by Reid setting the race’s fastest lap, saw them claw back to finish second overall and only two laps down on the winning Aston Martin.
“It was one of those days where you were on the slicks then the wets, then back to slicks before back to wets,” Reid told Velocity News.
“If you got the strategy right, you would have looked like a hero.
“But to come away with second is a fantastic result.”
Reid is one of New Zealand’s most experienced drivers.
His career CV includes gigs in A1GP, Indy Lights, GT3s and V8 Supercars.
The wealth of experience he brings to the table means Reid understands what it takes to succeed.
He says knowing never to accept failure in any race is a key element, and he and Foster proved that at Pukekohe.
“I think we had the never give up approach that day,” he said.
“When you have been around the motorsport game for a long time, you know that anything can happen…up until the final corner.
“If you put pressure on the guys in front of you, and put in some fast laps, then people will make mistakes.”
Reid has been racing with Foster for nearly five years. The pair have won both local and national endurance titles together.
Since beginning their partnership, Reid says he has been chipping away at improving Foster’s confidence and all-around ability.
He added Foster is a co-driver anyone would want to have given his ability to manage the race.
“Neil is so good to work with.
“He is a pair of hands that will almost always bring the car back in a position we can fight with.”
Foster was faced with a radio issue during Sunday’s race, which Reid says he did an excellent job of handling.
“He had to go a long way on the slick tyre in the wet, and he did well and kept it in a straight line.
“He was also having issues with his radio, which threw him off his game a bit.
“As a driver, you take things like a radio for granted. And when they don’t work as they should, it is annoying.
“But Neil did a great job managing that.”
Reid and Foster have a small break before the second round of the Golden Homes North Island Series at Hampton Downs on May 28-29.
Main Image: Matt Smith
