Motorsport: McIntyre out of V8 SuperTourers after crash

John McIntyre is out of the Mike Pero Real Estate 350 after a major crash at the Ruapuna raceway early this afternoon. Photo / Robert Lowe.

V8 SuperTourers championship contender John McIntyre is out of the Mike Pero Real Estate 350 after a major crash at the Ruapuna raceway early this afternoon left him with a suspected broken arm.

Teammate Jono Lester spoke to McIntyre after the crash and it is thought the JMR Falcon suffered a repeat of a brake problem that had appeared in testing but was thought to be rectified.

McIntyre, preparing for qualifying for the deciding round of the V8 SuperTourers championship, went through turn one as normal but speared off the track at turn two, going straight over the gravel trap at high speed before hitting the tyre barrier.

He was conscious throughout and talking to medical rescue teams who were on the scene within seconds.

McIntyre is second in the standings, 155 points behind championship leader Scott McLaughlin, with Greg Murphy third.

At the Mike Pero 350 event, teams must nominate which driver will start the first 53-lap race tomorrow no later than 30 minutes after the 20-minute qualifying races held today. The grid line-up for race one will be determined by the qualifying time of the nominated starting driver.

The grid for the second 53-lap race will be based on the qualifying times of the starting driver, who must not have started the first race.

V8ST points

After six rounds: Scott McLaughlin 2995, 1; John McIntyre 2840, 2; Greg Murphy 2732, 3; Jonny Reid 2654, 4; Andy Booth 2308, 5; Kayne Scott 2299, 6.