KEY POINTS:
Two-time NZV8 champion John McIntyre will be aiming for a third title this weekend at Taupo when the 2008-09 season begins.
In an effort to help the team become the first to win three New Zealand V8 titles in a row, McIntyre has a new Ford for the
series.
"We have pushed our own time limits to build the new car and I'm pleased that we have. It is showing some good signs," said McIntyre. "I have been driving either an NZV8 or V8 Supercar during the whole off-season so I feel ready for the challenge of trying to win three in a row."
He'll have his work cut out this time around, as a number of teams have built new cars, among them Angus Fogg and Andy Booth.
"Everybody's been bitching and moaning there wasn't going to be enough numbers this year, and now have a look at what happened," says Booth.
"I reckon it's going to be one of the absolute best seasons we've ever had. It's probably the most competitive lineup of drivers the class has had."
Fogg will be looking to put paid to McIntyre' plans of a third title. Having split from International Motorsport, he now has his own team, including the help of long-time V8 campaigner Kevin Williams.
To really put the cat among the pigeons, internationally regarded long-distance racer and Porsche GT3 master Craig Beard has decided to join the V8 fray in a Ford prepared by team owner Garry Pedersen.
Baird said: "I've been looking at trying to get involved in the V8s in New Zealand for a while now. I get itchy feet watching some of those races. I've won every championship I've contested in New Zealand so I reckon I might have a chance."
Others to look out for include Paul Radisich, who's having another tilt at the title, former champion Paul Manuell, Kayne Scott who's back from his TKR duties, Australian David Besnard and another returning former champion, Paul Pedersen.
With these accomplished stagers a couple of youngsters are stepping up to the mark - namely Toyota Racing Series winner Andy Knight and former production racing champion Dale Williams.
Twenty-eight cars are due to line up for the first round, with Fords outnumbering the Holdens two to one.