The Crittenden Automotive Library

SBR to Continue the Kiwi Connection For ’09 Enduros

Topics: John McIntyre

SBR to Continue the Kiwi Connection For ’09 Enduros

Stone Brothers Racing
April 18, 2009

Two-time NZ V8 Champion John McIntyre will join Stone Brothers Racing in this years V8 Supercar endurance races at the L&H Phillip Island 500 and the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

In 2007 McIntyre paired up with then rookie, Shane van Gisbergen in the SBR prepared Team Kiwi car, this years signing will see the relationship between McIntyre and the three-time Championship team continue through its New Zealand roots.

As part of enduro season preparation John McIntyre will drive the SP Tools Racing Falcon in a practice session at Winton Raceway early next month, one of four sessions designed to give the kiwi time to adjust to the new SBR FG Falcon.

McIntyre who rates Phillip Island and Bathurst among his favourite tracks is happy to be back in a seat with SBR for 2009.

“This is the drive I have been chasing for about five years, I had a good contact with the team having raced with SBR when we ran with Team Kiwi in 2007 and I’ve been hassling Ross since then to get a drive.

“As soon as Bathurst was finished last year I let him know I was available and I have been working on it since so it’s really a dream come true for me.”

The announcement comes ahead of SBR finalising their fourth driver for the enduros and poses the question as to whether the team will pair up their main series drivers.

In 2003 Caltex Racing and Pirtek Racing joined forces to allow for the teams main series drivers, Marcos Ambrose and Russell Ingall to drive together in a hybrid livery.

SBR Team Principal Ross Stone is confident McIntyre is a good fit for the team.

“We used John in ’07 with Shane when we ran the Team Kiwi entry and we thought he did a great job for us so we are looking forward to working with him this time around.

“We have meetings coming up with IRWIN and SP Tools about running a dual livery for the enduros as a unique branding exercise and we should have an answer on that in a month or so. Once we have worked through it we will work on who the fourth driver will be to complete the 2009 SBR enduro team. That person will pair up with McIntyre in the event Shane and Alex race together for Phillip Island and Bathurst.”

John McIntyre Career Highlights

2x NZV8 Champion 06-07 and 07-08
NZV8 Runner Up 08-09
Jim Clark Trophy Winner 2007
41 NZV8 Race Wins

V8 Supercar Endurance Drives

2002 QLD 500 TKR with Jason Richards
2004 Sandown with Alex Yoong WPS, Bathurst with David Besnard WPS
2007 Sandown and Bathurst (TKR/SBR) with Shane van Gisbergen
2008 Phillip Island with Fabian Coulthard and PCR