KEY POINTS:
There was no time to draw breath after the fourth round of the NZV8s at Timaru last weekend - everyone had to race to Invercargill for the next round of the series this weekend.
Kayne Scott has a 31-point lead in the championship over two-time defending champion John McIntyre, who in turn has what appears to be a comfortable buffer of 157 points over Andy Booth and the much improving Craig Baird.
"That's nothing [in points difference]," says McIntyre.
"Even the 150-odd point lead we have over Boothie is not much in this series with nine more races still to go in our final three rounds."
Scott has more race wins than any other driver in the V8s this season and is looking forward to heading to Teretonga, a track he much prefers.
"Timaru was a great weekend for us, it couldn't have gone better," said Scott. "I'm really looking forward to Teretonga and we've saved a few bullets for around there in our set-up and things."
Scott has said in the past that Timaru wasn't his favourite track, as it's a bit too tight and twisty for his liking.
To come away with two wins from a track you don't like doesn't bode well for the others.
"I like the fast tracks. This [Teretonga] is one where it's high speed and a lot of full throttle. It's a good flowing track and it's all about car balance and keeping the momentum going. But as always it starts with qualifying and trying to get pole," said Scott.
Although he's not had much time in the big V8s recently, Craig Baird has steadily improved as the season has progressed and appears comfortable mixing it with the front-runners. He could prove to be the cat among the pigeons and might upset a few of the more established drivers.
One thing Baird will definitely be trying to do this weekend is atone for his three defeats at the hands of fellow Porsche GT3 driver Aussie David Reynolds. While still leading the title chase, Baird will not want a repeat of Timaru.
