KEY POINTS:
Nelson driver John McIntyre is in pole position to retain his New Zealand V8 motor racing title.
McIntyre yesterday extended his series lead to 115 points over Auckland rival Angus Fogg after the penultimate round at Timaru. The sixth and final round is at Teretonga in Invercargill next weekend.
McIntyre headed to Timaru with a lead of 79 points over Fogg, which he then extended by posting a race win, a second and a 13th placing.
His advantage is not insurmountable but McIntyre's consistency this season, with six wins from 15 races, means the likelihood of Fogg overtaking him at Teretonga is slim at best.
His 13th place in the final reverse grid race yesterday marked the first time he has finished outside the top 10 in any race this season. He was relaxed about taking a conservative approach. "When you have the championship on the line, you're not going to throw it away for a higher placing in the reverse grid race.
"It feels good to extend the lead over Angus, although I wouldn't have minded if he'd caught up some points on me here."
Fogg had a consistent weekend of results, with two fourths and a 14th.
Hamilton's Kayne Scott is third overall on 733 points. He had a mixed weekend in Timaru, leaving the track during qualifying and not finishing the second race.
The former V8 champion finished the first race in sixth place, and improved from 16th to second in the final race.
- NZPA
