Release 1/3/2009

MEDIA RELEASE
1 MARCH 2009
 
HEPBURN HAPPY WITH PROGRESS  
 
Timaru driver John Hepburn was a much happier man than of late at the conclusion of Round 6 of the BNT V8s Championship at Manfeild Park in Feilding this weekend.
 
"We learnt a lot and we now know where we are lacking," he said as he prepared to leave the Manawatu circuit. "We made good inroads and actually had an enjoyable weekend."     
 
Prior to travelling north the team had blown a motor in testing and with a replacement engine in place it could clearly be seen that Hepburn was suffering badly when it came to getting power out of turns. Hepburn has long believed that he has lacked power at low revs and with the handling improved the horsepower issue became obvious. However, while horsepower continues to be a concern, gains were definitely made in the handling area this weekend. "I'm over the moon with the way the car handled," said Hepburn. "The gap has closed between us and the fastest in the field and we are now about 1.7 seconds off the pace as opposed to 3 seconds previously. The handling improvements have us that much closer. There is probably a second or more to be gained in the horsepower area. There was nothing we could do about that this weekend but we are addressing the issue for Pukekohe."       
 
"We can run with these guys and I'm quite positive. We just need more mumbo!"
 
Hepburn brought the John Hepburn Racing Commodore home in the top twenty in each of the weekend's races. However the major success of the round was the resolution of the handling problems.
 
Best of all as the team packed up the truck at the conclusion of the round the former motorcycling and Super Truck Champion was a much happier man.    
 
The final round of the 2008/2009 BNT V8s Championship takes place at Pukekohe Park Raceway south of Auckland from 13-15 March.
 
John Hepburn's campaign in the BNT V8s Championship is supported by Auto Align, Timaru Signs & Graphix, Blastcraft, Petrie Mayman Clark, Robinsons Auto Dismantlers, Drummond & Etheridge, Timaru Metal Recyclers, Ashley Electronics, Paul Smith Earthmoving, Auto Gas and Crash Repairs.
 
Lindsay Beer
on behalf of Johnny Hepburn Racing
021 351 499
 
To contact John Hepburn - phone 0274 326 934