John McIntyre will once again pair with young Kiwi endurance specialist Jono Lester for the three round V8SuperTourers Endurance Championship.
Currently 7th in overall points, the 2012 Sprint Champions JMR have shown plenty of speed during the 2013 season but have been the victim of on-track incidents that have cost numerous podium finishes. McIntyre and his Taupo-based team are looking to the nine race ‘Enduro Series’ both to move forward on the overall Championship, and aim for high honours in the Endurance Championship also.
“Although these races are called enduros, they are effectively sprint races with a pitstop,” McIntyre commented.
“We will need the same fast pace we had at round one and for both drivers to put in fast but consistent performances over the three races.
“Jono has had laps in the car this year and due to his busy driving schedule is very race fit and is adapting well to the V8ST style.”
23-year old Lester is enthusiastic about the team’s chances in the 2013 V8 SuperTourers Enduro Series;
“The JMR team have displayed great speed throughout the 2013 season so far and I’m excited to again join the team after our two Taupo Podiums.”
“JMR are a well-oiled machine and we have continuity on our side. The key to success over the nine races will be consistency and keeping out of trouble. If we can combine that with the speed we know the #47 has then we will be on the right track!”
With Lester fresh from leading the Super Taikyu Series in Japan and McIntyre winning the South Island Endurance Series opener at Invercargill last weekend, the pair are looking forward to pushing the #47 Blackwooks Protector Falcon to the front at Hampton Downs.
The V8SuperTourer action commences on Saturday with two 45-minute practice sessions, followed by individual qualifying and a 36 lap race. The stars of Australasian motorsport will hit the track again on Sunday for two races of 56 laps each.
The weekend will feature same-day television coverage on TV3’s CRC Motorsport, from 03:00pm to 05:30pm this Sunday, September 29.
