Nelson's John McIntyre overcame poor handling in the third race of the Mike Pero 250 to do just enough to win V8 SuperTourers Sprint Series title. Photo / Getty Images.
Nelson's John McIntyre overcame poor handling in the third race of the Mike Pero 250 to do just enough to win V8 SuperTourers Sprint Series title today - by just two points from Jonny Reid.
Reid started way down the grid after his retirement in the second race. A gearbox
change on Ford Falcon V8ST was completed in time for him to take the start, and he quickly fought his way up to seventh after the start.
As McIntyre slipped back through the field with handling problems, Reid moved through and back into title contention. Seventh became sixth, then fifth and as the race entered its final stages Reid put a great move on Andre Heimgartner to take fourth.
McIntyre struggled throughout the race and after 33 laps, eighth place with Reid in fourth was the lowest he could afford to be in, and with Paul Manuell all over the JMR lead driver in the final two laps, the destination of the Sprint Series title hung in the balance.
Over the last lap Manuell attacked in the Orix Holden Commodore, but McIntyre got a better exit from the downhill sweeper and took a small lead into the final corner. Manuell was quicker and attacked all the way up the hill to the line, but couldn't get past the Blackwoods Paykel Ford Falcon.
