Nelson based racing driver John McIntyre has claimed pole position for the second round of the BNT V8s Championship at Powerbuilt Raceway at Ruapuna near Christchurch today. This was the second consecutive pole position for the Protector Safety Falcon and was even more rewarding as it is the first time he has claimed the fastest qualifying time in his four years of contesting the series.

Queensland based international Kiwi star Craig Baird (United Video Falcon) will join McIntyre on the front row of the grid for tomorrow's opening race while Christchurch's rising V8 star Andy Knight (Radio Live Falcon) claimed his first ever top three qualifying in only his second season of BNT V8s racing.

The opening practice threw up surprises and dramas in the wet with Auckland's Clark Proctor (VIP Falcon) topping the time sheets ahead of fellow Aucklander Paul Manuell (Orix Commodore). They were followed by Angus Fogg (LG / Newstalk ZB Falcon), Knight, Baird and Haydn MacKenzie (Ford Falcon).

However, the championship points leader, Christchurch's Eddie Bell (Independent Fisheries Falcon) slid off the circuit causing severe but repairable damage to the front bodywork. Also in the wars was Taupo's John Penny who crashed into a tyre wall causing major damage which his team will attempt to fix overnight. McIntyre also suffered a minor slip off the circuit and then elected to sit out the remainder of the session.

The second practice saw Manuell setting the pace ahead of Knight, Tim Edgell (Chesters Falcon), Bell, Dale Williams (Rayglass Falcon) and Proctor. However, a rear diff/axle assembly failed on McIntyre's car forcing him out of the session and leaving him with little practice before qualifying. However, the biggest disappointment of the day was suffered by defending BNT V8s Champion Kayne Scott who was forced to withdraw from qualifying with an engine malfunction necessitating an engine change overnight and relegating him to the rear of the grid for tomorrow's opening race.

The all new qualifying format used for the first time at the opening round was again a huge crowd pleaser where all cars contested a 20 minute session with the top 20 drivers progressing to a 15 minute session. The top ten from that group then went on to a Bathurst style single lap shoot out to form the top ten of the starting grid.

The opening segment saw Baird on top early and maintain the position to record fastest time while Besnard showed his true worth to finish runner up. Knight proved his competitiveness with third fastest time ahead of McIntyre, Anderson and a rapid Nick Ross. With drivers only having to set a time within the top 20, not everybody was showing their true cards until the second segment commenced.

McIntyre eventually confirmed his intentions by setting the fastest time on his very last lap with Edgell again showing he can mix it with the best in second. Bairdo was third fastest ahead of Knight, Besnard and Andy Booth (Big Ben Commodore). Wellington's Darryn Henderson brought his Radio Sport Falcon up to 7th fastest in what was one of his best qualifying efforts.

As the top ten shoot out progressed there was no indication as to who could claim the pole time and it was the incredible John McIntyre who put a near perfect lap together nearly half a second ahead of Craig Baird. Andy Knight was most impressive to take 3rd followed by Besnard, Proctor, Henderson, Bell, Fogg, Edgell and Booth.

John McIntyre (Nelson) - Car No. 47 - Ford Falcon:

"The tactics for tomorrow will be flat out as we have some very quick cars and drivers alongside us and I know that at Ruapuna pole positions don't necessarily turn into wins. The main thing will be to open a quick gap especially on Craig Baird then bank on getting some sound points for the weekend."

Andy Knight - Car No. 97 - Ford Falcon:

"It all depends on what happens at the start as the important thing for me is to get through the first turn quickly then see what can be done from there. We could get through there in the lead or we could be in 8th depending on what's going on. I have to try to be in the top three or five in those first two races than look at scoring points in the third."

Race 1 will commence tomorrow morning at 10:05 am followed by Race 2 at 1:00pm and the reverse grid format Race 3 scheduled to start at 4:25 pm. All races will be screened on TV3 between 2:00pm and 6:00 pm tomorrow afternoon.