Brendon Hartley
Kiwi A1GP driver Jonny Reid's mechanical team must rely on the advice of rookie teenager Brendon Hartley for advice in the set-up of the car after a crucial change to the Taupo circuit.
The realigning of the corner coming into the home straight is likely to encourage greater speed there and open up overtaking opportunities not available on the track last year.
The Taupo Car Club held a race meet at the new circuit on January 5/6, with most drivers in vehicles from Porsches to Holden and Ford V8s giving the new section a pass-mark.
The changes were made at A1GP's request and the new section, which still allows race organisers to switch back to the old chicane for other meetings, cost about $40,000 to install.
"The track is good and everyone is waiting to see how it will change the racing," said Taupo Motor Park manager Dave Steele. "Some car club members - what I would call weekend drivers - have questioned it and said it's not for them but the top drivers are all giving it the thumbs-up."
"In the open-wheel racing with the cars all the same, there will be more opportunity to pass. We had considerable feedback from Jonny Reid and other drivers last year, which was great, and we have taken on board their comments."
Reid and the other drivers cannot get on to the track until Saturday and they will have to take the advice of the rookie drivers, all of whom must be under 28 and new to the racing. New Zealand have appointed Hartley, of Palmerston North, who will take the car for two 25-minute stints on Friday. Hartley tested the car with Reid in pre-season at Silverstone and team manager Bob McMurray has confidence in him to do a professional job.
The remaining members of the Kiwi race team arrived in Taupo yesterday and began stripping the engine of Black Beauty, which needs rebuilding according to the computer boffins from the race organisation.
Engine performance is monitored constantly and the organisers advise when maintenance is needed to maintain the level playing field concept. A rebuild is common after about 1000km.
"The set-up must be different for Taupo than it is at other tracks," McMurray said. "A lot more downforce is required because of the twisty circuit. Shanghai is very high speed. Brno has sweeping corners.
"We have to change the car to achieve downforce but not so much so that we lose aerodynamics in the straight, because that is where this will be won and lost. You don't want the car acting like a parachute in the straight or you're going to get passed.
"You need to hit the new corner heading into the straight at speed so you don't get overtaken."
McMurray and the other team managers have walked and inspected the track and believe it will provide better racing action than last year.
"The problem is ... setting the car up. We have to have info from the rookie," he said of Hartley.
The 2007 European Formula Renault series winner said he was keen to help out in any way he could to contribute towards New Zealand winning and promised to act in the best interests of the team.
"I can't be too stupid. The team is not going to be happy if I crash."
It is 18 months since Hartley raced in New Zealand and he's never been around the Taupo circuit.
Reid arrives in Taupo today after completing media and sponsorship commitments and a break visiting mates on Great Barrier Island. Taupo is filling up with fans, shops are adorned with race gear and the buzz is building towards race weekend.
Good weather is expected. It was 28C at the track yesterday.