John McIntyre returns to SBR

MCINTYRE BACK WITH SBR FOR MAIN EVENTS

John McIntyre will once again make a return to V8 Supercars and SBR driving the #9 SP Tools Racing Falcon alongside fellow Kiwi, Shane van Gisbergen at both enduro rounds and the new Armor All Gold Coast 600 event.

The two-time NZV8 Champion and Runner-Up is eligible to co-drive on the streets of Surfers Paradise under the new International driver format. McIntyre's experience in V8 Supercars should give him an edge over fellow international drivers when the cars hit the new street circuit later in the season.

McIntyre who raced at this year's Adelaide Clipsal 500 in a Development Series car prepared by Stone Brothers Racing is thrilled to be back in the seat pairing up with Shane van Gisbergen for the three main events.

"This drive with SBR is something I have been working on for four or five years really, I have stayed in regular contact with Ross [Stone] a lot.

"Obviously last year getting the drive in the #4 car was a real vote of confidence from SBR and getting to lead that car gave me a lot of experience. Finally all the stars have aligned and I am in the seat I want to be in!"

In 2007 McIntyre teamed up with then rookie, Shane van Gisbergen in the SBR prepared Team Kiwi car and since raced with Daniel Gaunt in the #4 IRWIN/SP Tools combined entry at last year's Phillip Island and Bathurst enduros.

"I remember every second of the enduros last year, it was excellent and now I'm really looking forward to the co-driver role. Last year was a bit odd I guess because I was a co-driver but I was the lead driver in the car so it's quite different and can be hard to get your head around initially.

"This year I am there to just look after the car and the race for Shane and his Championship so I think I'm really well suited to that."

And when it comes to the Armor All Gold Coast 600 event, it won't be the first time McIntyre has raced on streets of Surfers Paradise.

"The Gold Coast race is going to be a really special event, I ran at Indy back in 2004 for WPS and I'd just done Bathurst and thought it can't getting harder but then I actually thought the Gold Coast was harder.

"It's going to be a really difficult race but is an absolute bonus considering I will have just raced at Phillip Island and Bathurst with Shane so we will be well and truly in the zone by then."

As part of enduro season preparation John McIntyre will drive the SP Tools Racing Falcon in two practice sessions at QLD Raceway this weekend.

The announcement of McIntyre now confirms the second enduro seat with Stone Brothers Racing after reigning LeMans 24-hour champion David Brabham was confirmed to drive with IRWIN Racing's Alex Davison earlier this week.

-source: sbr