Jonny Reid did not convert his slim hopes of an A1GP title, again bringing in Black Beauty in second place overall, Photo / A1GP
ENGLAND - New Zealand claimed second in the A1GP series for the second year running with New Zealand driver Jonny Reid hailing the team's consistency.
Switzerland won the World Cup of Motorsport trophy for the first time after building an unassailable lead after the sprint race in the
10th and final round at Brands Hatch.
Driver Neel Jani finished fourth in the first race - behind Robbie Kerr of Britain, Jonathan Summerton of the United States and Adam Carroll of Ireland - but it was enough to clinch the overall title for Switzerland before the main race.
New Zealand were the only team that could have overhauled Switzerland in the final round of the season, but had to finish at least second in the sprint race.
However, Reid finished eighth in the sprint race. He was also eighth in the feature race - just enough to fend off Britain, who leaped over France to finish third overall, just one point behind New Zealand.
Switzerland finished the season with 168 points, followed by New Zealand with 127 and Britain with 126.
France won the debut competition in 2006 and Germany won in 2007.
Reid said the aim in today's feature race was to protect second place overall and the team was strong and rose to the occasion after starting a lowly 17th on the grid.
"I'm knackered," Reid said. "That was such an intense drive. We put everything into it and thankfully got everything out of it."
"We struggled with rear grip throughout the race, but it didn't matter in the end.
"I was pleased with my drive, the pitstops were great and the result was fantastic.
"I look back and see a lot of areas where things got away on us and think we could've won this championship," he added.
"But, at the end of the day, second overall is a great achievement, especially with our tough finish to the campaign.
"Over the three seasons we've been the most consistent nation in this championship and that's something to be proud of."
- NZPA
