Reid Takes Top Step After Faultless Drive in Race 1 at Manfeild
 
Jonny Reid took a dominant win in tricky conditions today in the first race at Manfeild of Round 3 of the V8 SuperTourer series.
 
Reid - on pole position after a wet-dry qualifying session - led away from the start and strung together a series of very fast early laps, despite constant drizzle and ominous clouds over the Manawatu venue. Series returnee Greg Murphy quickly despatched front row starter and M3 racing team mate 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 circuit on which he has completed literally thousands of laps. He worked his way past Manuell and Andy Knight before taking huge chunks of time out of Murphy - who he passed on lap nine in a bold move at the last corner.
 
Murphy in the Mike Pero M3 Racing Holden did not seem to have an answer, saying afterwards: "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."
 
Reid sprinted off into a lead he was never to lose, despite McIntyre setting a new lap record for V8 SuperTourers of 1.08.747 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."
 
International definitely seemed to have hit the sweet spot with the two Ford Falcon V8ST cars as Ant Pedersen was arguably the driver of the race battling through from twelfth on the grid to an eventual fourth place finish, a run which included a great pass on Craig Baird in the United Video Ford Falcon.
 
Baird also fell victim to a charging Eddie Bell in his Falcon, the Christchurch racer having his best race in the championship so far and looking like he was relishing the conditions.
 
Baird ended up sixth, with the top ten rounded out by Andy Knight, Steven Richards, front row starter Paul Manuell and Kayne Scott.
 
ENDS

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