McLaughlin sets the pace

McLaughlin sets the pace as V8 SuperTourer’s journey begins

Three times NZ V8 champion John McIntyre is promising race fans the best ever qualifying session in a V8 race in New Zealand after the first ever timed practice sessions for the new V8 SuperTourer series left the top ten runners all covered by just over three tenths of a second.

"The cars are amazingly close and fans are going to see best ever qualifying session that has involved V8 powered cars in New Zealand. There is no doubt about that," said McIntyre after clocking the third fastest time in the final session, a performance which was good enough for sixth overall on the day.

Topping every session was Australia-based Kiwi Scott McLaughlin who recorded a low 1 minute 4 second lap every time he went out and put in a large number of competitive laps, demonstrating not only his race pace, but also the longevity of the Hankook tyres, new to top level racing in New Zealand.

"It's pretty cool to be out there dicing with guys like this but we'll have to see what we can do tomorrow when it counts," said McLaughlin, clearly enjoying himself in his new V8 SuperTourer environment.

Right there throughout the day also was Jonny Reid, the former A1GP star right there on lap times right from the word 'go' and third fastest overall for the day behind legend Greg Murphy, who was another to lap consistently in the mid 1 minute 4 second bracket for most of the day.

The top ten on overall times for the day was McLaughlin, Murphy, Reid, Baird, Richards, McIntyre, Pedersen, Scott, Heimgartner, Knight, Bell, Booth, Manuell, Moore, Emery and Corkery.

Qualifying for the first ever V8 SuperTourers event gets underway on Saturday at midday, with the first ever race scheduled for 3.10pm.

On the supporting bill is New Zealand's biggest ever field of racing Hondas, the ever popular Central Muscle cars and young guns in the V8 Challenge Cup aiming to secure a test in the V8 SuperTourer.

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