Black Beauty back on track

A1 Team New Zealand’s famous “Black Beauty” is set to return to the track and make an appearance at Taupo Motorsport Park this month.

The single-seater will be part of the Giltrap Group Historic GP event on January 16-18 after nearly two decades out of action.

Original driver Jonny Reid will be behind the wheel of the A1GP racer when it completes demonstration laps across the weekend on the same circuit where it impressed fans during the mid-2000s. 

The restored car was unveiled at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park in December and is hitting the track this year as part of Giltrap Group’s 60th anniversary.

“I look at it today and I can’t even fathom that it was 20 years ago,” says Reid in a video documenting Black Beauty’s resurrection.

“The car doesn’t look 20 years old, it’s such a timeless car and I’m just really looking forward to getting back in and sliding it around.”

A1 Team New Zealand had four successful seasons in the “World Cup of Motorsport”, including finishing runners-up in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons when Reid and Matt Halliday shared driving duties.

The team won six races and scored 19 podium finishes across its brief history.

Besides showcasing Black Beauty, the action at Taupo this weekend includes the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy, Formula Atlantics, HVRA saloons, Arrow Wheels Heritage Touring Cars NZ, Classic Saloons and Euro Class.