McIntyre on pole for BNT V8s in Taupo

Defending New Zealand V8s champion John McIntyre is on pole for the opening race of the 2008-09 BNT V8s Championship season in Taupo this weekend.

With a fastest time of 1:35.273 McIntyre (Nelson, Castrol Ford) came through the three qualifying sessions to take the pole position from former V8 champion Kayne Scott (Hamilton, Fujitsu Ford) who had been fastest in the first two sessions.

All 28 BNT V8s competitors run during an initial 20 minute session with the fastest 20 going through to the second 15 minute session. The top ten shoot-out comprised all the big names in the fiercely-competitive BNT V8s: Scott, McIntyre, Andy Booth (Big Ben Pies Holden), Angus Fogg (LG Electronics Ford), Paul Manuell (Orix Holden), Paul Radisich (HPM Ford), Paul Pedersen (Tigercat Ford), Andy Knight (Milwaukee Ford), Andrew Anderson (ITM Holden) and Craig Baird (United Video Ford). Disappointed to miss the top ten were early fast-runners Dale Williams and David Besnard in the SCG Racing Fords, Tim Edgell in the Chesters Ford and Andrew Porter in the Hydraulink Ford.

With heavy cloud and the possibility of rain, the BNT V8s completed their qualifying on the 3.5km Taupo circuit with first Manuell getting a clear run for the quickest time of the session, then Booth and then McIntyre. The intensity of battle was clear with several drivers overshooting the end of the long main straight as they strove to brake as late as possible.

A 12-lap race starts the BNT V8s’ competitive season with McIntyre and Scott on the front row, with Fogg and Radisich behind them to make an all-Ford top four. Anderson and Booth create a Holden third row, with Pedersen and Manuell in row four. Two rookies in the BNT V8s class, Knight and Baird, complete the top ten.

Results from Saturday’s 12-lap race will determine the starting order for Sunday’s first 16-lap race. The final BNT V8s race of the weekend will see the championship points earned in the first two races added together, then ranked and the order reversed for the 20-lapper.

ENDS/

Photo information: Defending V8s champion John McIntyre on his way to setting the pole-winning qualifying time for the opening round of the BNT V8s Championship in Taupo this weekend. Please credit SportProMedia/Graham Blow for the image. It’s free to use.

2008-09 BNT V8s Championship – Qualifying, Round 1, Taupo

1, John McIntyre (Nelson) Ford Falcon, 1:35.273

2, Kayne Scott (Hamilton) Ford Falcon, 1:35.658

3, Angus Fogg (Auckland) Ford Falcon, 1:36.206

4, Paul Radisich (Melbourne) Ford Falcon, 1:36.464

5, Andrew Anderson (Auckland) Holden Commodore, 1:36.588

6, Andy Booth (Auckland) Holden Commodore, 1:36.622

7, Paul Pedersen (Rotorua) Ford Falcon, 1:36.698

8, Paul Manuell (Pukekohe) Holden Commodore, 1:36.841

9, Andy Knight (Christchurch) Ford Falcon, 1:37.177

10, Craig Baird (Gold Coast) Ford Falcon, 1:37.196

11, Andrew Porter (Auckland) Ford Falcon, 1:37.371

12, Tim Edgell (Auckland) Ford Falcon, 1:37.404

13, David Besnard (Brisbane) Ford Falcon, 1:37.747

14, Michael Bristow (Auckland) Ford Falcon, 1:37.794

15, Dale Williams (Auckland) Ford Falcon, 1:38.044

16, John Penny (Taupo) Holden Commodore, 1:38.208

17, Eddie Bell (Christchurch) Ford Falcon, 1:38.276

18, Nick Ross (Cambridge) Holden Commodore, 1:38.818

19, Simon Richards (Hamilton) Ford Falcon, 1:39.170

20, Alan McCarrison (Auckland) Ford Falcon, 1:40.054

21, Adam Brook (Christchurch) Ford Falcon, 1:39.023

22, Inky Tulloch (Gore) Ford Falcon, 1:39.131

23, John Hepburn (Timaru) Holden Commodore, 1:39.945

24, Cam Hardy (Hamilton) Holden Commodore, 1:40.111

25, Boyd Norwood (Palmerston North) Ford Falcon, 1:40.280

26, Shaun Turton (Pukekohe) Holden Commodore, 1:40.403

27, Chris Adams (Dunedin) Holden Commodore, 1:41.521

28, Julia Huzziff (Auckland) Holden Commodore, 1:41.904

2008-09 BNT V8s Championship calendar

Round 1 (Fujitsu 200), Taupo Motorsport Park, 3-5 October 2008

Round 2, Pukekohe Park, 7-9 November 2008

Round 3, Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway (Christchurch), 28-30 November 2008

Round 4, Timaru International Motor Raceway, 9-11 January 2009

Round 5, Teretonga Park (Invercargill), 16-18 January 2009

Round 6, Manfeild Park (Fielding), 27 February - 1 March 2009

Round 7, Pukekohe Park, 20-22 March 2009

[Non-championship trophy round, Hamilton 400 V8 Supercars, 17-20 April 2009]