Jonny Reid took a dominant win in tricky conditions today in the first race of round three of the V8 SuperTourer series at Manfeild.
Reid, on pole position after a wet-dry qualifying session, led away from the start and strung together a series of fast early laps, despite constant drizzleand ominous clouds over the Manawatu venue.
Returning from injury and excursions in the Hamilton 400, Greg Murphy quickly dispatched front row starter and teammate Paul Manuell and set off after Reid.
The man on the move in the early laps, however, was John McIntyre - clearly relishing the challenging conditions on a familiar circuit. He worked his way past Manuell and Andy Knight before taking huge chunks of time out of Murphy, passing him on lap nine in a bold move at the last corner.
Murphy did not seem to have an answer, and later paid credit to the drivers ahead of him.
"The car was just a little edgy, breaking traction out of the corners, but fair play to John and Jonny - they both drove really well in the conditions and neither made any mistakes," Murphy said.
Reid sprinted off into a lead he was never to lose, despite McIntyre setting a new lap record for V8 SuperTourers. Both he and Murphy dipped below the one minute nine second mark, but it was not enough the challenge Reid.
"I'm stoked to win and pleased for International motorsport who have put in a massive effort to get us right to the front. We've been competitive all season so far, but winning is what it's all about."
