Motorsport: McIntyre back with beloved V8s

John McIntyre came unstuck in Pukekohe this year and missed out on his third consecutive title. Photo / Supplied

The two-time New Zealand V8 champion John McIntyre was "gutted" when he missed out on his third consecutive title this year.

McIntyre had all the early running in the seven-round championship but came unstuck at the last round at Pukekohe. After the first two races that weekend, he still had a slender lead, but in the reverse grid final race it was his nemesis Kayne Scott who got home first, snatching the points lead and the title.

"It was devastating to lose that championship over the last few laps of the season," said McIntyre. "I could easily take that second-place trophy of mine and use it as a door-stop, or start doing goal-kicking practice with it or something, because it means nothing to me to be honest."

Although missing out on his third title hurt, McIntyre thought it was time to move to another class, and after discussions with Triple X Motorsport, decided campaigning a Porsche GT3 would be a good test.

"I was getting a feeling the team was running out of energy and all the peaks and troughs were taking their toll. Although in the scheme of things we did really well, I was beginning to think: how I could keep all this together for next year?" said McIntyre.

By this stage in his motor racing career, McIntyre had achieved much and wanted another challenge and having driven a Porsche before, knew he could adapt quickly to the style required to hustle a more refined, well-balanced car around with the best of them. But it wasn't to be.

"Having decided to change tack I put everything up for sale, but after three months nothing had really happened. There were a few other telling things that happened at the same time.

"Some of my sponsors didn't want to be involved in the Porsche series and a lot of my fans emailed via Trade Me and said 'don't tell me you're getting out of V8s' ...

"I ignored public opinion for long enough and decided as nothing had sold, and not wanting to lose my sponsors, I'd get back into V8s."

In the three months McIntyre and his team were trying to put together the Porsche deal, not one moment was spent thinking about the V8s. As a result McIntyre and his crew are refreshed and really keen to get their teeth around the idea of regaining his NZV8 title.

"Everything kept pointing back to the V8s," said McIntyre.

Of course, TV3's decision to screen the three Sunday rounds of next season's championship live may have had influenced the odd decision.

Not only has McIntyre decided to return to the NZV8s and try and knock Scott off his perch, he has been selected by Stone Brothers Racing as one of two co-drivers for this season's two endurance Australian V8 Supercar races.

"It's a huge coup to get a drive there when I haven't been contesting any of the other rounds," said McIntyre. "Things just don't happen, you have to put the steps in place to get there and I've done that. So to be picked from some of the best guys in Australasia to come into this team is fantastic."

Team principal Ross Stone says the decision has yet to be made whether McIntyre will co-drive with either of their current drivers, Kiwi Shane Van Gisbergen or Alex Davison. Alternatively, Van Gisbergen and Davison could be paired in one car with McIntyre and a yet-to-be-announced fourth driver in the other V8 Ford.

Ross Stone said: "The main thing for us is that John is a perfect fit for our team."

McIntyre explained, "As a member of the team, you get a 30-minute test session in the car at four race meetings - I'm travelling all the way to Australia for 30 minutes in the car, but when you're driving these cars, every 30 minutes makes a difference."

McIntyre hopes the Stone Brothers Racing signing will be the sign of bigger and better things to come.

MAC'S RECORD

2009
* Runner-up NZV8 championship.

2008
* Winner of the NZV8 championship.
* 16th V8 Supercar L&H 500 at Phillip Island with Fabian Coulthard.

2007
* Winner of the NZV8 championship.
* Team Kiwi Racing Endurance driver - Sandown and Bathurst.
* Jim Clark Trophy winner.
* Awarded Presidents Scholarship.
* Winner of the Ernie Spraque Memorial Trophy at Timaru.

2006
* Wins first race NZV8 season as team owner and driver.
* 1st Group N (1600-2000cc) 24-hours Nurburgring, Germany.

2004-2005
* Debut at Bathurst 1000 driving with David Besnard - 21st V8 Supercar Sandown 500.
* Winner of the Manfeild 4-Hour Endurance Race.