Gibson Hits the Mark at ITM400

Gibson Hits the Mark at ITM400

Young 21-year-old Taupo V8 Driver Mark Gibson has continued his stellar start to his V8 career with yet another overall podium finish (3rd) in the NZV8s final round held at Pukekohe Park last weekend.

In just his fourth round of V8 Touring Car racing and driving a V8 at Pukekohe for the first time, Gibson quickly adapted to the high-speed circuit. He qualified fourth from a field of 22 TL NZV8s but what was more remarkable about Mark's performance was the fact he missed all of the 20-minute practice session with a mechanical issue.

The former winner of the MotorSport NZ Elite Academy, Gibson is now the development driver for John McIntyre Racing. The three time NZV8 Championship winning team, also based in Taupo prepared the CB Norwood Distributors Ltd BA Falcon and owner/driver John McIntyre is mentoring Gibson in his first full season of V8s.

McIntyre also entered the NZV8 round as a one-off in his former championship-winning Falcon, with Gibson benefiting greatly from McIntyre's data and advice over the weekend. Mark's qualifying pace, race results and lap times immediately impressed McIntyre over each of the weekend's three NZV8 races.

"That performance would have to be one of the best I have seen from a young driver in a V8 for some time," explained McIntyre.
"Mark backed up his podium form from his first V8 event of 2013 held at Hampton Downs V8 SuperTourer weekend back in February, and at a totally different style of track he found more in himself and the car to completely outpace the other young drivers there. He is making very rapid progress in all aspects of his racing and it is clear to me he has a very bright future in touring cars ahead of him."

Gibson finished fourth, third and fourth in each respective race and recorded second fastest lap times in each, behind the more experienced McIntyre.

"From an overall perspective I am rapt with how the weekend went. I learned a huge amount from John and his experienced team. I now have a few laps under my belt and can't wait to get back into the seat for the next round of V8 Challenge Cup," said Gibson.

The team now starts to prepare for the next round of the V8 Challenge Cup, as a support category to the third round of the V8SuperTourers, being held at Pukekohe from 25 to 26 May.

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