McIntyre gunning for top NZV8 result in Hamilton

John McIntyre is looking forward to the trophy races for the New Zealand V8s during the V8 Supercar ITM400 event on the streets of Hamilton this weekend.

“Being non-championship races, there’s a little less pressure on the team, but we always want to win, so the focus to do well is always there,” says the Nelson-based two-time NZV8 champion.

McIntyre and former NZV8 champion Kayne Scott are the only two drivers to have ever won NZV8 races on the 3.4 km Hamilton street circuit, which has been used twice before. McIntyre and Angus Fogg were the pole-setters at these two rounds.

“We’re running a different setup in the Talleys Ford than we did here last year and we hope to be on top of things quickly during testing on Friday morning.”

McIntyre says the slight change to the circuit layout creates a passing opportunity, under brakes, going into turn five. “Any improvement to the circuit which offers another chance to pass has to be good.”

McIntyre says the whole John McIntyre Racing team is focused on a strong performance. “This is our last race as a team for six months, so we want to make it a good one.”

Johnny Mac and the 23 other NZV8 competitors have a half hour practice session on Friday morning, followed by qualifying at 12:45pm. Saturday features just one NZV8 race of 12 laps at 11am. Race two, also 12 laps, is at 9:15am on Sunday with race three – with the starting order not the usual reverse grid format, but based on finishing places in race two – starting at 3:15pm and running for 16 laps.

“We have quite a contingent of sponsors coming to the event and we’re looking forward to seeing them as we take on the streets of Hamilton for another year.”

McIntyre welcomes three new sponsors to JMR: NZ Ceiling, Drywall Supplies and Uniden, and extends his thanks for the ongoing support of Talley's, Castrol Edge, Protector Safety, Prime Explosives, Amcor Packaging, Ford NZ, The Rock FM, Ideal Electrical, Websters Hydrated Lime, Avon City Ford, BP Ultimate, Dynamic Fluid Systems, Speedshow, Cookes Wirerope, Colorfast Signs, and Squawking Magpie Wines and City Collision Repairs Napier.

overage of the ITM400, including the NZV8s, screens on TV3 from midday to 6pm, both Saturday 17 April and Sunday 18 April.