Motorsport: McIntyre out to make amends

John McIntyre. Photo / Lance Hastie

Leading driver John McIntyre is out to build on the two race wins he earned in the opening round of the New Zealand V8 championship when the second leg is staged at Christchurch's Ruapuna circuit this weekend.

McIntyre's first-up display at Pukekohe was impressive before the third, reverse grid, race where he crashed out.

It has him fourth on the standings which are topped by fellow-Ford driver Angus Fogg, who didn't win a race two weeks ago.

"From every negative comes a positive," McIntyre said.

"While the car was stripped down, we developed some suspension components that we wouldn't normally have done.

"It's vital to say in touch with the championship leader. We're just 20 points away from current leader Angus Fogg with Craig Baird and Tim Edgell holding second and third between Angus and me - that's how close it is. We didn't finish one of the races while the other three did, so it shows going for the maximum 75 points for a win makes a difference."

Test and qualifying sessions will be held on Saturday at the tight Ruapuna track, with all three races to unfold on Sunday.

Leading standings:

Angus Fogg (Auckland, Ford) 170pts 1, Craig Baird (Queensland, Ford) 169 2, Tim Edgell (Auckland, Ford) 166 3, John McIntyre (Nelson, Ford) 150 4. Andy Knight(Christchurch, Ford) 148 5, Paul Manuell (Auckland, Holden) 114 6, Andy Booth (Auckland, Holden) 108 7, Jason Bargwanna (Victoria, Ford) 102 8, Scott McLaughlin (Queensland, Holden) 98 9, Kayne Scott (Hamilton, Ford) 94 10

- NZPA