Release 9/11/08

HEPBURN SCORES A TOP TEN FINISH   
 
Johnny Hepburn of Timaru secured his first top ten finish of the BNT V8s Championship when he crossed the line in tenth place in the final race of the second round at Pukekohe Park Raceway in South Auckland this weekend.
 
The race was a reverse grid event and was the highlight of the round after problems during Friday's test day put the team behind the eight ball for the entire weekend. However after two solid point scoring results in the first two races, the first on Saturday afternoon and the second this morning, some radical changes to the John Hepburn Racing Holden Commodore for the final race saw improved lap times from the former motorcycling and truck champion.   
 
Up to that point Hepburn had struggled with understeer in the car but still managed to work his way forward in the opening race on Saturday and avoided a huge accident in the second of the weekend's three races when many of the midfield group were caught in a massive chain reaction. "I was lucky. Little gaps opened up for me." The incident caused a lengthy delay while the safety barriers were repaired.   
 
The changes to the car for the final race late on Sunday afternoon made a significant improvement as the Timaru driver crossed the line very happy in tenth place.
 
"It was a real motorsport weekend," said Hepburn in the pits moments after the final race concluded. "It had ups and downs and to be honest we struggled all weekend. The big problem is we have no data," he said as he referred to the fact that the newly formed team does not have the technical information about the circuits from previous visits to tracks like their rivals do.
 
Hepburn also learnt a lot in the final race as he ran in the top ten with some of the top drivers in the championship. He also admitted that Pukekohe is not one of his favourite circuits.
 
While Hepburn is still seeking a major sponsor he has received fantastic support from the South Canterbury region. His 2008/2009 BNT V8s Championship campaign is being
supported by Auto Align, Timaru Signs & Graphix, Blastcraft, Petrie Mayman Clark, Robinsons Auto Dismantlers, Drummond & Etheridge, Timaru Metal Recyclers, Ashley Electronics, Paul Smith Earthmoving and Crash Repairs.
 
The next round of the championship takes place at Powerbuilt Tools Raceway in Christchurch from 28-30 November.
 
Lindsay Beer
on behalf of Johnny Hepburn Racing
021 351 499
 
To contact John Hepburn - phone 0274 326 934
 
Photograph shows John Hepburn of Timaru in the John Hepburn Racing Holden Commodore  . SportProMedia.com
 
CALENDAR 2008/2009 BNT V8s CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 3 - 28-30 November 2008: Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway, Ruapuna, Christchurch
Round 4 - 9-11 January 2009: Timaru International Motor Raceway, Timaru
Round 5 - 16-18 January 2009: Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Round 6 - 27 February - 1 March 2009: Manfeild Park, Feilding
Round 7 - 13-15 March 2009: Pukekohe Park Raceway, Auckland
 
Non-Championship Trophy Race - 17-19 April 2009: Hamilton 400, Hamilton