Manfeild V8 SuperTourer weekend: Top-ten finishes for Gibson

Weekend of top-ten finishes for Gibson at Manfeild V8 SuperTourer weekend

9 February 2014

Finishing all three races for the Manfeild round of the V8 SuperTourer series keeps John McIntyre Racing driver Mark Gibson in the top-six group of drivers for the 2014 season.

The Auckland based Blackwoods Protector FG Falcon driver again improved on his weekend qualifying base – steering clear of incidents that arose ahead of him to continue his 100% finishing record.

Running as a support to the New Zealand Grand Prix weekend at the Manawatu located circuit, its 3.03km track is well liked by drivers internationally. Having to contend with changeable weather conditions was another factor that kept the Taupo based race team on its toes throughout the three days of action. That added up to a weekend tougher than the 22-year old Gibson expected.

“The pace is so fast it’s critical to be reliable. Our lap times meant I could stay in touch with the front runners but to have the backing of the team and car to get it to the finish is the result that keeps us in the game,” said Gibson.

For team owner John McIntyre it was again a result that cements the decision to put Gibson in his car for the sprint portion of the series.

“The pace is coming as Mark fine tunes himself and the car. Keeping his 100% finishing record after what was his second round against the likes of Greg Murphy, is a result that keeps the team in a solid position. Mark brought the car home in perfect running condition, meaning the team can concentrate on performance rather than fixing it,” commented McIntyre.

Details about the weekend:

• Second round of the V8 SuperTourer series, held at Manfeild in the Manawatu township of Feilding (7-9 February 2014),
• Three races, two of 15 laps and one of 25 laps,
• Finished tenth, ninth and eighth in each respective race,
• Started 11th, 12th and ninth in each respective race,
• Always within a second of the fastest cars per lap,
• Sixth overall on 305 points for the seven round series, after round two,
• Round three will be held at Pukekohe, 21-23 March.

Team website: www.jmr.co.nz
About the V8 SuperTourers: www.v8st.co.nz

Calendar 2014 V8 SuperTourer series:
SPRINT ROUNDS (Sprint portion of Championship)
ROUND ONE: January 25/26 - Highlands Park, Cromwell, South Island
ROUND TWO: February 8/9 - Manfeild, Palmerston North
ROUND THREE: March 22/23 - Pukekohe, Auckland
ROUND FOUR: April 25-27 with V8 Supercars, Pukekohe, Auckland

ENDURANCE ROUNDS (Endurance portion of Championship)
ROUND FIVE: September 6/7 Father’s Day - 400 Taupo
ROUND SIX: November 1/2 - South Island
ROUND SEVEN: November 28/29/30 - Pukekohe 500, Auckland

ENDS

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