Two-time Toyota Racing Series champion Daniel Gaunt will have his debut drive in Black Beauty during the rookie sessions at the penultimate round of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport in Shanghai.

The 10th Round starts on Friday-week with Gaunt thrilled to warm up the car in two 25-minutes sessions before Jonny Reid takes the wheel for the rest of the weekend.

"It's a great opportunity," Gaunt said, "and one I've been working towards all season. My first job is to keep it on the island and keep it safe for Jonny and then it's a case of running in the brakes and getting the car primed for the weekend."

A1 Team.NZL spokesman Bob McMurray says Gaunt deserved an opportunity to "step up" after a sizzling Toyota Racing Series campaign. "He won the New Zealand Grand Prix at Teretonga Park in Invercargill last month and is assured of the championship crown even with a round remaining (at Pukekohe the weekend after Shanghai)."

"Team Owner Colin Giltrap has given him the opportunity to drive as part of Colin's desire to promote young New Zealand drivers on to the world stage and I'm sure it's a challenge that Daniel will thrive on."

Gaunt joins Wade Cunningham and Chris van der Drift as young Kiwis who have taken part in the rookie sessions this season.

"We're pleased to be giving emerging talent some experience in a more powerful car on a global stage," McMurray said. "Daniel has a very specific, technical job to do for the team and I'm sure he'll acquit himself extremely well."

New Zealand is currently second on the championship table, behind Germany, with Great Britain, France and Malaysia rounding out the top five.