Motorsport: Winless McIntyre takes V8s round

John McIntyre with two second place finishes and a fifth, won the V8 round. Photo / APN

Seventeen-year-old Scott McLaughlin became the youngest ever winner of a New Zealand V8 race, but John McIntyre, despite not winning any of the three races at Taupo today, left the circuit as the happiest driver.

Nelson's McIntyre, with two second place finishes and a fifth, won the round to haul himself back into contention for the series championship which will be decided at the Hamilton 400 meeting next month.

"This is really what we needed to do and now that we've done it I'm just thrilled for the team because the car has been fantastic. We have done what Angus Fogg has done most of the season and that is be consistent and ended up winning the round,"McIntyre said

McIntyre, driving a Falcon, has 899 points - 45 behind series leader Angus Fogg who leads Kayne Scott by seven points.

Queensland-based McLaughlin, who set the fastest lap in the day's second race, won the final race of the day, a reverse grid 20-lap, after hitting the front with seven laps remaining.

"This is really going to help my career. This feels just so great I don't know what to say, but hopefully I can take this form to Adelaide and show the V8 Supercar teams what I can do," the Commodore driver said.

Scott, who took second overall, won the opening race while Victorian V8 Supercar driver Jason Bargwanna won the day's second race.

- NZPA

- NZPA