McIntyre, the shootout specialist, looks to Chch NZV8

McIntyre, the shootout specialist, looks to Christchurch NZV8 round

Top race driver John McIntyre looks to build on the pole position and two race wins he earned at the opening round of the BNT V8s Championship as the premier touring car series heads to Christchurch’s Ruapuna circuit for round two over the weekend of 27 and 28 November.

Since the NZV8 class introduced a qualifying shootout to finalise the top ten starting positions at the beginning of the 2009-10 season, McIntyre has won five of the six* shootouts run.

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“I think the shootout results speak volumes – John McIntyre Racing are the shootout specialists – and we’re set to do it again at Ruapuna on Saturday 27 November,” says McIntyre from his Nelson home.

McIntyre’s goal before Pukekohe’s opening round was to maximise his points’ haul with pole position and victory in the first two races at the first two rounds. “We did that at Pukekohe this year and last year. We did it at Ruapuna last year, so we’re all set to do it again next weekend. We’re looking for as many points as possible before the series heads to the South Island again in January for the back-to-back rounds in Invercargill and Timaru.”

However, the opening round didn’t go all McIntyre’s way with the two-time champion not as close to the series’ lead as he would have liked.

“Yeah, we crashed out of the third reverse grid race, but from every negative comes a positive. While the car was stripped down, we developed some suspension components that we wouldn’t normally have done. Now, the JMR Amcor Falcon is perfect. It’s finished today and ready to head south from our Hastings base at Lodge Auto Centre next week.”

McIntyre understands the value in winning races as a way to build a buffer against unforeseen situations like the DNF at Pukekohe.

“It’s vital to say in touch with the championship leader. We’re just 20 points away from current leader Angus Fogg with Craig Baird and Tim Edgell holding second and third between Angus and me – that’s how close it is. We didn’t finish one of the races while the other three did, so it shows going for the maximum 75 points for a win makes a difference.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing Canterbury’s motorsport fans at Ruapuna. They’ve been going through such a shaky time for so long. We hope they come along to the track to enjoy some great racing – we aim to entertain the crowd!”

John McIntyre Racing is on-track at Ruapuna Raceway, the tight, technical race circuit outside Christchurch seven times over 27 and 28 November. Saturday’s schedule has test sessions at 9:45am and 12:35pm, before the two part qualifying session starting at 3:30pm. All three races are on Sunday – 10:20am for the first 12-lapper, 1:05pm for the second, and then 3:40pm for the 20-lap reverse grid race.

John McIntyre Racing thanks its sponsors: Blackwoods Paykels, Protector Safety, Amcor, Talley's, Castrol Edge, BP Ultimate, NZ Ceiling and Drywall Supplies, Ideal Electrical, Websters Hydrated Lime Co, Squawking Magpie Wines, Dynamic Fluid Systems, EATON, Ford New Zealand, Irwin Tools and Showquip.

More details about McIntyre and his team can be found on www.jmr.co.nz or follow John McIntyre Racing on Facebook.

ENDS

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