Pitt stop: Fire near disaster for John McIntyre

Defending and 2007-08 NZV8s series leader John McIntyre have lost all their racing equipment in a truck fire. Leaving Pukekohe after the first round of the championships last weekend, driver Grant Blackberry was alerted to the fire in the back of the truck by a following motorist. Luckily for the team the race car was in a separate transporter and is safely back at their base in Hastings.

Appeal for Huzziff

An appeal has begun to help Kiwi Julia Huzziff rebuild her NZV8 championship car after her accident at Pukekohe last weekend. The aim of the "Get Julia Back On Track" appeal is to get Huzziff's car rebuilt in time for the third round of the 2007-08 NZ V8s series at Taupo in January.

Catlins Coast start

The Catlins Coast Rally is finally due to start on November 24. The event, originally scheduled for August 4, was postponed when flooding hit the region. As a result of the date changes, the rally is now the finale for two major series, the Mainland Rally championship and the Laird Motorsport Southern Rally series.

Back to Whangarei

New Zealand's round on the FIA Asia Pacific Rally championships will again be held in Whangarei in 2008. The FIA world motorsport council confirmed the International Rally of Whangarei will take place June 6-8. It is the third round of the Asia Pacific series and final round of the new Pacific Cup - a stepping-stone to the FIA championships.

TV show returns

Popular motorsport show, Karcher Pit Lane, has returned to Sky TV on Tuesdays at 7pm. Rally commentator D'Arcy Waldegrave hosts the hour-long show, with panel members multi-kart and car champion Shane Drake, rally driver Marty Rostenburg and Jamie McCarthey.

Super sedan winners

The Super Sedan series moves to Manfeild this weekend for the second round of the championship. Dayne Running leads the series in his Chev Camaro just one point ahead of Glen Brazier in his Chev Corvette.