KEY POINTS:
With the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport coming towards the pointy end of the season, New Zealand driver Jonny Reid wants to get a jump on the rest of the field at this weekend's event in Durban. But this South African track could prove to be the toughest one of the lot for the Kiwi flyer.
Durban is the only street circuit on the calendar and, unlike some of the permanent racetracks, none of the drivers are able to test or race there at other times of the year. The tight, twisty street circuit punishes mistakes more than any other track.
"I didn't race here last year and I've only been able to walk around some of the circuit," said Reid from Durban. "All my main rivals have an advantage over us as they've been around here before. But it's nothing we can't handle and we don't expect to be P1 in the first practice."
Reid has never been one to be pressured into forcing the pace early in practice and will slowly build towards qualifying. He has also established an enviable track record of going very quick on circuits he hasn't driven on before.
"I've got to make sure I learn the circuit," said Reid. "I don't want to go hard too soon and put the car into the wall. I've got to keep my composure and go quick when it matters, qualifying and the races.
"Obviously with this being a street circuit, it's covered with dirt and dust from everyday use and it'll take a little while for the cars to rubber in. And, as time goes on, the circuit will get quicker and quicker. So we're not losing anything by me taking my time getting to know my way around."
The top of the table is very tight with New Zealand and France tied on 96 points and early series leader Switzerland hovering back in third on 93 points.
This season has been the closest A1GP series yet, with all the major contenders having a mix of good and bad luck. A big points lead can evaporate overnight and Switzerland's title campaign is a case in point.
Before the team arrived for the two recent races Down Under, they were 19 points clear of the field.
After disastrous races in Taupo and Sydney, the team had fallen to 15 points behind the lead. Then, with its main rivals having their share of bad luck, the team eventually clawed back to be within an easy striking distance of New Zealand and France.
But don't count out South Africa and Germany on 79 and 77 points respectively, as a single race win is worth 15 points.
If last season is an indicator, the run in towards the season end bodes well for Reid. In Mexico, he finished 16th and sixth and, in Shanghai, second and first.
Reid sat out at the final round at Brands Hatch and watched Matt Halliday pip Great Britain by one point for New Zealand to finish second in the championship.
* You can watch qualifying on TV3 from 3pm Sunday and racing from 1am Monday.
