NZ V8 series leader McIntyre aims for strong start in Timaru

Currently at the top of the leader-board, John McIntyre is aiming for a strong start from third slot on the grid in the first of the weekend’s New Zealand V8 races at Levels Raceway in Timaru this weekend.

“We’re really happy that the car has demonstrated its speed; it’s miles quicker than it’s been here before and, okay, third on the grid isn’t exactly where we wanted to be, but we’re one place up on Craig Baird, our closest rival in the championship battle, and that’s very important,” said McIntyre after Saturday’s top ten qualifying shoot-out.

McIntyre said a couple of tiny errors on his flying lap made the difference between a pole-setting time and third. “That shows how close this series is and how you need to be 100% spot-on on these flying laps.”

McIntyre’s time in the final run was 1:06.183 compared to pole-setting Angus Fogg with 1:05.823. The John McIntyre Racing team can be encouraged by the pace shown during the afternoon’s second qualifying session when the #47 Castrol Edge Ford achieved the quickest time in that session of 1:05.967 on a dry circuit.

The morning test session was run with persistent drizzle soaking the popular South Canterbury motor racing circuit, but the rain eased with the afternoon’s final test session and all three qualifying runs taking place on the dry spec. Dunlop tyres.

“I’ve started third here before and been third when we came out of the first left-then-big-right-sweeper complex,” he said. “Who knows what’s going to happen, but I do have the inside line into the first corner on this very technical circuit.”

Sunday’s races in Timaru start at 10:00am, 12:55pm and 4:05pm, with two 12-lap races followed by the always-challenging 22-lap, full reverse grid final race.

The team at John McIntyre Racing extends their thanks to Talley's, Castrol Edge, Protector Safety, Ford NZ, The Rock FM, Ideal Electrical, Websters Hydrated Lime, Avon City Ford, BP Ultimate, Dynamic Fluid Systems, Speedshow, Prime Explosives , Cookes Wirerope, Colorfast Signs, City Collision Repair Napier, and others for supporting their bid to win a third New Zealand V8 Championship title.