21st December 2011 - Issue No,1
www.jmr.co.nz
GREEN-LIGHT #1
21st December 2011 - Issue No,1
Welcome to the first edition of “GREEN-LIGHT”. Like the rest of JMR, our regular newsletter has been rebuilt, re-developed and is now packed full of technology to take us into the future. Since winning our third NZ V8 Championship in April this year, JMR has undergone significant change. We have entered into a new championship, V8SuperTourers and moved our base to a purpose-built facility at the Taupo Motorsport Park. I am a director of V8SuperTourers Ltd, the company behind the series. With the other key people involved, we have worked tirelessly all year to set up the new series we call the “V8 Series of Champions”. To date we have sold 16 brand-new, latest technology V8SuperTourers that will be ready to race at Round One over the weekend of 17-19 February at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park. Among other milestones, we have signed a television deal with TV3 that will see only V8SuperTourers shown in each three hour programme aired on the Sunday of the feature race. This means more exclusive free-to-air coverage for sponsors and fans. It is very rewarding being part of a series that will take New Zealand domestic racing to a completely new level. The cars are fast, they are packed with technology and will be driven by a stellar cast of some of Australasia’s best drivers. To future-proof JMR, as a business and a race-team, I made the decision to move into the V8SuperTourers Series and base JMR at a racetrack. JMR have always strived to run two competitive cars but the NZV8 model made this difficult. With every racecar being identical (except for the Falcon/Commodore parts) the V8SuperTourers provide JMR with a platform to run two cars much more easily. By running two cars we will gain twice the data, twice the driver feedback and twice the chance to win. The driver for our second car will be announced in midJanuary ... and they will need little introduction. The JMR race-shop, situated just inside the main gates of Taupo Motorsport Park, allows JMR to effectively test our racecars without having to load up the transporter and spend a night away. We will be able to host sponsors for functions which include race-shop tours, boardroom meetings and much more. The majority of our hot-lap events will be staged in Taupo, allowing us to spend more time with our sponsors and their guests. I would like to extend my thanks to everyone from the team who worked day and night to have the #47 racecar, transporter, building and one FG Falcon promo Car ready for our livery launch last Friday. And the guys aren’t resting easy just yet - as Christmas approaches more preparation is being done on both cars. But then we all have a break over the Christmas/New Year period before starting back in early January. We now have approx 98% of the parts required to have the cars ready for testing in January, so it won’t be long now until we all get the thrill of seeing the cars test for the first time at Taupo. Thanks to everyone for all of your support in 2011. The year ahead features an exciting new chapter in JMR’s history and we look forward to seeing as many of you at the track as possible. Finally, have a very safe and merry Christmas and New Year holiday.
21st December 2011 - Issue No,1
Striking livery for Johnny Mac’s #47 FG Falcon V8SuperTourer 20 | 12 | 2011
Johnny Mac revealed the dynamic new colour scheme for his #47 FG Falcon V8SuperTourer on last Friday (16 December), two months ahead of commencing competition in the brandnew era of V8 racing in New Zealand. Fans, sponsors and team-mates gathered at the new home of John McIntyre Racing at Taupo Motorsport Park to check out the striking green, white and black livery for #47 which also boldly sports the fresh, new branding of one of JMR’s key sponsors Blackwoods Protector, formerly Blackwoods Paykels Protector Safety. The JMR crew, led by top engineer Jason Liefting, has been working day and night to assemble #47 into the nearly-complete race-car that everyone was excited to see. One of New Zealand’s most successful owner-driver race teams, JMR will field cars number 46 and 47 when the V8SuperTourers commence battle in February next year. The driver for #46 will be announced mid-January and in the meantime, the team has plenty to finish to get #47 ready for testing. John has also been overseeing the completion of the new Taupo race-shop which is going to be used for more than just the two V8SuperTourers – it’s going to be a dedicated motorsport retail shop with further news is pending in coming weeks. At present, the workshop houses a stunning two-car transporter and the two race-cars. From time to time the three FG Falcon show cars also come together at the shop which makes for an exciting line-up of JMR vehicles! John is understandably excited about racing the new #47 for the first time in February. “We are set for a massive season, of that there’s no doubt!” says the Nelson-based 34-year-old.
21st December 2011 - Issue No,1
Striking livery for Johnny Mac’s #47 FG Falcon V8SuperTourer cont... “I’m delighted to be able to show Kiwi motorsport fans the results of months of hard work now that John McIntyre Racing is working from our new race-shop at Taupo Motorsport Park. We are the only V8SuperTourer team with our own dedicated race-shop at a racing circuit, which I think is going to be important for the future prospects of the team.” The team’s engineering headquarters were previously in McIntyre’s original home region, Hawke’s Bay. “With the move to V8SuperTourers, I felt the time was right to establish a dedicated base for John McIntyre Racing, and the Taupo Motorsport Park ticked all the right boxes,” says John. “Here we have the ability to prepare up to four racecars and store all of our equipment, including the transporter, in the building. In the New Year we will open a dedicated motorsport retail shop to service the needs of local motorsport participants and teams and drivers who are competing at the track just 80 metres from our race-shop.” Heading the JMR V8SuperTourer programme is Jason Liefting, of Mercer, has recent experience as a race engineer with V8 Supercar, Toyota Racing Series and Formula Ford teams and is regarded as one of the most talented engineers in the country. Jason is managing the build project for the two JMR FG Falcon V8SuperTourers and then changes roles to be the engineer for Johnny Mac and #47 on race weekends for each of the seven V8SuperTourer rounds in 2012. John adds: “This is truly a season of firsts. Not only will we be racing in a brand-new series from a new base with a largely new team, we’ve invested in leasing a two-car transporter. As soon as the V8SuperTourer series was announced last February, I made the commitment that JMR would run two cars. We are progressing well with plans to secure a high profile driver for the second car and will announce who this is in mid January.”
21st December 2011 - Issue No,1
One very fast ‘billboard’ for Blackwoods Protector Blackwoods Paykels Protector Safety has been a key JMR sponsor for the past three seasons. This year, #47 becomes the first, highly-visible and very quick ‘billboard’ for the company’s new name and brand - Blackwoods Protector. Blackwoods Protector advertising and promotions manager Stephen Holden explains: “Our previous name, Blackwoods Paykels Protector Safety, resulted from the merger of Blackwoods Paykels and Protector Safety 18 months ago. We have now changed the company name to Blackwoods Protector which maintains the strength of the two brands for industrial and safety products while reducing the name to a more manageable size. “With the change to Blackwoods Protector, we have utilised a new green in our logo which is reflected in the striking green, white and black livery we can now see the new #47 JMR race car. Over the next 12 to 18 months, our 26-strong nationwide branch network will receive the new, more modern branding. Everyone at Blackwoods Protector is proud to sponsor John McIntyre in the new V8SuperTourer series.”
21st December 2011 - Issue No,1
Technical corner: About the V8SuperTourer engine The 7-litre “small block” all aluminium, fuel injected V8ST control spec engine is not a product of a standard mass-production assembly line, but rather, hand built at PBC, [Performance Build Centre] based in MI, USA. Each engine is hand-assembled by a specialist technician, who personally signs off each engine he is responsible for completing. This “State of the art” facility is dedicated to crafting engines for speciality applications, such as our V8 Supertourer’s Series, in an environment akin to custom race-engine assembly. Each engine is treated as an individual unit, and each is seen through the assembly process as the responsibility of a dedicated engine builder, whose name is affixed to the engine plate. The engines are subject to rigourous inspection and hot-tested in a 20-minute run cycle upon completion. In the development of the engine, a number of test engines had to survive 300 hours running on an engine dyno with a wide open throttle. The engines racing roots are also evident in the cylinder block and reciprocating assembly, where an extremely rigid aluminium block casting accommodates large, 104.8-mm-diameter (4.125-inch) cylinder bores, fitted with Hyper-eutectic alloy flat-top pistons. Lightweight titanium connecting rods link the pistons to a precision-balanced forged steel crankshaft with a 101.6-mm (4-inch) stroke. The Titanium con-rods weigh just 480 grams apiece - some 30 percent less than comparable steel rods. The wet liner, high nickel content cast iron cylinder liners, are torque plate-honed to exacting standard’s to ensure optimum piston ring seal. The engine also features 5 axis CNC-ported cylinder heads to ensure both parity and optimum airflow. The cylinder head’s also feature Sodium filled exhaust valves and lightweight Titanium inlet valves fed by tunnel-like straight intake runners, although large by production-vehicle standards, the inlet ports are designed to maintain high airflow velocity, providing excellent torque,507 ftlbs at a comparatively low 4,800 rpm and some 575 horsepower at 6,200 rpm. The 7-liter V8ST engine is complete with an inbuilt dry-sump lubrication systems that recycles the engine oil through an exterior oil cooler into a remote 12 litre oil reservoir and from there back into the engines oil galleries. The V8ST engine features its own unique accessories drive system, utilising a custom manufactured ATL front damper, and a single high performance serpentine drive belt. The heavy duty 100 amp alternator is mounted as low as possible to further assist the engine’s very favourable low Centre of Gravity. The exhaust system is also unique to V8ST and adds significantly to the engine prestigious power output, whist still complying with New Zealand’s maximum of 95DBA noise mandatory requirement.
21st December 2011 - Issue No,1
Technical corner: About the V8SuperTourer engine ENGINE SPECIFICATION:
Camshaft: - Rocker-ratio intake: 1.80:1 - Rocker-ratio exhaust: 1.80:1 Degrees Duration: - At camshaft: Intake: 0.331 in. Exhaust: 0.328 in. - At valve: Intake: 0.593 in. Exhaust: 0.588 in. V8ST General Specs: Engine type: Cam-in-block 90-degree V8 Block configuration: Cast-aluminum with pressed-in cylinder sleeves and 6-bolt, forged-steel main bearing caps - Bore x Stroke (mm/in): 104.8x01.6/4.125x4.00 - Displacement: 7.0L/427ci - Crankshaft: Forged steel - Connecting Rods: Forged Titanium - Pistons: Hyper-eutectic alloy - Compression Ratio: 11.0:1 - Cylinder Heads: 5 axis CNC-ported aluminum; 70-cc chamber volume - Valve size, intake (mm/in): 56/2.20 (Titanium) - Valve size, exhaust (mm/in): 41/1.61 (Sodium-filled) - Camshaft: Hydraulic roller; 15 mm (.591 in) lift (intake and exhaust) - Rocker arms: 1.8:1; offset (intake only) - Air intake: Composite manifold with 90-mm single-bore throttle body - Fuel: Premium required; 98-octane minimum - Horsepower: 575 @ 6,200 rpm - Torque (lb-ft): 507 @ 4,800 rpm - Engine redline (rpm): 7,000
21st December 2011 - Issue No,1
Introducing: Jason Liefting, #47 race engineer 21| 12 | 2011
Mercer-based Jason Liefting has a unique set of skills that make him an incredible resource for JMR. We talk with Jason about his experience and expertise as a race car engineer and driver. “Originally from Hamilton, I started racing at age 11 in karts and was selected to drive for New Zealand’s only kart manufacturer, Kiwi Karts in Palmerston North. That’s where the interest in the engineering side of motorsport started. Of course we all grow up wanting to be Formula 1 drivers, but as we get older and wiser, we realise that we can’t all do that and the good thing about engineering is that the money goes in the right direction. I get just as much of a buzz winning and the challenges of engineering, as I do driving,” says Jason. Moving into Formula Fords at age 17, Jason bought his first car from Kiwi racing legend Kenny Smith. “He helped me out a lot and I went on to race in Australia and New Zealand with pretty good success.” Jason also raced in another single seater class, Formula Holden, which he still rates as his favourite race car before spending more and more time as a race car engineer. In recent years, he’s worked for race teams at home and in Australia in several classes, including Formula Ford, Toyota Racing Series, New Zealand V8s. Not only a race car engineer at the track, Jason has considerable ability as a mechanical engineer, doing metal work in his Mercer workshop. All these attributes made Jason the perfect person to head the JMR V8SuperTourer race-car build project. “I admit I wouldn’t be as interested if this was a production-based car made to go this fast, as I am with the V8SuperTourers, which are proper, purpose-built race cars.
21st December 2011 - Issue No,1
Introducing: Jason Liefting, #47 race engineer cont... “The whole V8SuperTourer series is a new challenge, a bit different and it’s very professional. Realistically John has put himself in the position to be the best V8ST race team in the country. It’s a cliché, talking about taking racing to the next level, but the V8ST really is. “Right now, I suspect there are a few people who don’t know what we’re in for racing these cars. It’s not until it’s all here, laid out, ready to assemble that we really get to know these cars. We don’t know what these cars will be like to run compared to other race cars that go this fast. The first two race meetings are going to be about which team can get over any little gremlins and get on with making the cars faster.” Jason is adamant that both JMR cars will be equally competitive. “We don’t know yet who’ll be driving #46, but it’s going to be an equally competitive side of the garage – we want JMR cars to lock out the front row of the grid! The other side of the garage will be testing us and we’ll be testing them! “It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to treat them like they’re your own two cars. John has entrusted me to make all the decisions about how the build for #47 and #46 happens, so it’s been a much bigger project than I have typically been involved with, which is great and we can’t wait to be out there testing in January.”
21st December 2011 - Issue No,1
Where we’ve been seen Since the launch on Friday 16 December we’ve had considerable news media coverage including 2.5 minutes on TV3’s Gillette Motorsport show on the Sunday afternoon. To view the interview visit www.jmr.co.nz
21st December 2011 - Issue No,1
Notepad: 2012 V8SuperTourer Calendar Sprint Championship Round 1*: 17-19 February – Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, North Waikato Round 2: 7-8 April – Powerbuilt Tools Raceway, Christchurch Round 3*: 27-29 April – Manfeild, Feilding Round 4*: 1-3 June – Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, North Waikato
Follow us on Facebook: John-McIntyre-Racing
Follow us on Twitter: JohnMcIntyreRac
Endurance Championship Round 5*: 10-12 August – Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo Round 6*: 21-23 September – Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, North Waikato Round 7: 26-28 October – Final, Powerbuilt Tools Raceway, Christchurch * Events which feature the 2012 V8Challenge Cup Early bird ticket sales end January 31st for Hampton Downs, $30 for GA the weekend Get your tickets from www.hdticketing.co.nz
Or email club@jmr.co.nz www.jmr.co.nz
21st December 2011 - Issue No,1
JMR new season merchandise Available from 18 January 2012
Polo Shirt $55 Sizes XS,S,M,L,XL,2XL,3XL
Cap $25
T-Shirt $35 Sizes 6,8,10,12,14,S,M,L,XL,2XL,3XL
Lanyards $5.
21st December 2011 - Issue No,1
JMR would like to thank our sponsors: