Three-time New Zealand V8 touring car champion John McIntyre has been signed to partner Australian driver Will Davison in his Ford Performance Racing (FPR) V8 Supercar for next season’s two main endurance races.

McIntyre will join Davison in the #6 Tradingpost FPR Falcon for the Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000 events in September and October next year.

In an announcement from FPR today team principal Tim Edwards said he was pleased to secure McIntyre’s services before the 2012 season started.

As well as the three New Zealand V8 titles, McIntyre has two V8 Supercar podiums to his credit and this year finished fifth at the L&H 500 at Phillip Island and sixth at Bathurst co-driving with fellow Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen and Stone Brothers Racing.

McIntyre said: “First up, FPR is the Ford factory team and as a Ford-supported driver it is a real honour to be driving with them.

“As a professional V8 Supercar co-driver I only enter two races a year in Australia so my goal has to be to win the endurance events and in particular, Bathurst. To head there in the #6 Tradingpost FPR Falcon with Will Davison in 2012 gives me my greatest shot yet at a Bathurst win.

“It is also a relief to know where I am driving well before the New Year. Last year I had six or seven months out of the car and that makes it hard. I have now met the team and tested the car before the year is out which puts us on the front foot and gives us a jump on everyone else.”

McIntyre enjoyed his first taste of FPR machinery at the team’s final test day of the year at Winton Motor Raceway in northern Victoria on 12 December.

Edwards noted McIntyre’s impressive performances in this year’s enduros.

“After analysing John’s performances against his team-mate this year and against the other co-drivers, it was clear that he was one of the standout performers,” Edwards said.

“It is a real boost to our team to secure someone of his experience so far in advance of next season as it will allow us extra time to integrate John into our team and get him familiar with Will and our car.

“That process starts today with our test so we are already well underway with our preparations for next year. By winning the last race of the year and with our endurance race line-up already locked away, we head into the off-season break in the ideal position.”

FPR’s other driver Mark Winterbottom will again be partnered by Steve Richards in 2012 in the #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon as Richards is entering the second season of his two-year endurance race deal with the team.

John McIntyre Racing appreciates the support of Blackwoods Paykels, Protector Safety, Amcor, Talley’s, Castrol Edge, BP Ultimate, NZ Ceiling and Drywall Supplies, Ideal Electrical, Websters Hydrated Lime Co, Squawking Magpie Wines, Dynamic Fluid Systems, EATON, Ford New Zealand, Irwin Tools and Showquip.

More details about McIntyre and his team can be found on www.jmr.co.nz

Best mates, Dean Canto and Luke Youlden, have been confirmed as Ford Performance Racing’s enduro drivers for a second consecutive year following their outstanding performances in 2008.

The experienced duo will drive the FPR FG Falcon during practice sessions at V8 Supercar events, plus FPR test days, before the L&H 500 at Phillip Island on September 13 and Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 on October 11.

Last year the pair, who drove Car Five, impressed the team with a strong drive at Bathurst, running second before radiator debris forced an unscheduled stop. They finished seventh.

Luke Youlden said “It’s always good to drive with your mates but Dean and I are a good match anyway because we’re similar in speed so not limited in strategy. The only negative is that Dean is a fair bit shorter but that’s just a matter of working on pit stops, seat inserts and seat belts a little bit earlier than everyone else. I want to be racing at the highest level so to do that at two of the biggest races on the calendar is a real accomplishment. Obviously 888 is the team to beat at the moment but I’m very confident in FPR’s ability to give me a good car. Bathurst is still a fair way off and the car’s nearly there; I’m sure the engineers will unlock its potential.”

Tim Edwards the Team Principal said, “We had considered going after a high-profile international name but having consistency is more important. Drivers who know the team, know the way we work, understand our cars etc¦ saves going through that learning curve. “Dean and Luke did a commendable job last year and, barring any problems with the car, they’re genuine contenders for a top five finish.”

Ford Performance Racing has enjoyed its best-ever V8 Supercar Championship year with 2008 highlights including its first 1-2 round result and some great racing. Mark Winterbottom led the charge with some dominant performances including round wins in Perth and Queensland.

“Sometimes it just felt like we couldn’t have got it any more right!” said the Orrcon Steel Ford Credit FPR Falcon. “The car was good, the conditions were right, I drove well; days like that are hard to beat.”

Coming into the last round of the championship, Frosty sat second with a 233 deficit to leader Jamie Whincup. “He’s been impressive this year,” said Winterbottom. “But not unbeatable. We’ll come back stronger next year with the new FG race car.”

In his second year for the team Steve Richards had some highs and lows. “The stand-out moments would have to be Hamilton and Darwin,” said the Castrol FPR driver. “To get pole and a round podium so early in the year in New Zealand gave me such momentum and the  round win in Darwin came pretty quick after that.”

Some rough racing put the brakes on Richo’s championship assault however; the most memorable being a brush with Mark Skaife in Barbagallo, which saw both end in the gravel.

“We definitely need to work on qualifying for next year,” said Richo. “Starting further back than  the top three rows is very dangerous in this sport! 2009 will see the top ten shoot out come back though, and that’s suited me well in the past. Hopefully it will again next year.”