Bathurst finish delights McIntyre

John McIntyre returned from his first-ever finish in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 endurance race in Australia this week delighted to have crossed the finish line of ‘the great race’.

“To finally finish this race on my third attempt was very satisfying,” says the Nelson-based two-time New Zealand V8 racing champion who was selected to drive for leading V8 Supercar team Stone Brothers Racing in this season’s two Australian V8 Supercar endurance races, Phillip Island in September and October’s famous Bathurst race.

“Also getting to qualify the #4 Irwin-SP Tools Ford and lead the car’s driving team – it all came together as a fantastic experience. I couldn’t have asked for anything more, from the team or the car,” says McIntyre.

McIntyre competed in the 161-lap race with another New Zealand driver Daniel Gaunt, and the pair bought their car home in 19th position after overcoming a fair number of challenges. The other SBR driver pairing of regular V8 Supercar drivers Shane van Gisbergen and Alex Davison finished 13th, after leading the race on four occasions then having to contend with damage to the #9 car and an overheating engine.

“At Bathurst, the result either goes your way or it doesn’t. There are so many factors – weather, track conditions, other drivers, mechanical failures – to take into account. We managed to avoid a potential crash with Garth Tander [the eventual race winner] but that cost us the possibility of finishing 14th. We would have liked to do better, but a finish is a finish in this race, and as I said, it’s been a fantastic experience.”

McIntyre says the opportunity to drive with Stone Brothers Racing this year has been a dream ride.

“The whole team has got behind Daniel and me. We both feel lucky to have that kind of support and we couldn’t have been made to feel any more part of the team than we were.

“With so many Kiwis in SBR, including the founders Ross and Jimmy Stone, and with it being a Ford team, I felt right at home. Fans supported Daniel and me just as much as they did Shane and Alex, which is all awesome to be a part of.

“I’d like to thank the whole SBR team for such a great opportunity and wish them well for good results in the final four rounds of their V8 Supercar season.”

McIntyre now turns his attention to winning his third New Zealand V8 championship.

“The great thing about coming off Bathurst for the first NZ V8 race is that I’ve never been better prepared physically or mentally. When I last raced at Bathurst in 2007, we were straight into the opening round at Pukekohe and I was really quick. You’re already in race mode; you’re quicker right from the start.

“With three races on the Sunday of each NZ V8 round now, you’ll need to be fit and well-prepared to cope. Having this race mileage under my belt will be good. Also, having done the qualifying at Bathurst, I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone – it’s good to push yourself like that, to push harder than you ever have before – and that will stand me in good stead for what is going to be a very tough championship season in the BNT V8s.”
ENDS/


John McIntyre’s 2009-10 racing schedule
11-13 Sept 2009 – Phillip Island 500 – Stone Brothers Racing Ford
8-11 Oct 2009 – Bathurst 1000 – Stone Brothers Racing Ford
7-8 Nov 2009 – Pukekohe Park Raceway – John McIntyre Racing Ford
28-29 Nov 2009 – Powerbuilt Raceway at Ruapuna Park – John McIntyre Racing Ford
16-17 Jan 2010 – Teretonga Park, Invercargill – John McIntyre Racing Ford
23-24 Jan 2010 – Timaru International Motor Raceway – John McIntyre Racing Ford
13-14 Feb 2010 – Manfeild Autocourse – John McIntyre Racing Ford
13-14 Mar 2010 – Taupo Motorsport Park – John McIntyre Racing Ford
17-18 Apr 2010 – Hamilton 400 – John McIntyre Racing Ford

Further details can be found on the website www.jmr.co.nz or by contacting: