Cheers Guys. I know NY fairly well, I used to meet up with mates that were couriers and ally cat race with them, its just been years since I last went through JFK.
I might shoot into Manhattan and catch up with my sister.
With a 9 hour layover, and traffic on the Van Wyck, you had better allocate at least 1.5 hours each way (3 total) for travel. Given that they suggest you arrive 2 hours before a flight, that's 5 hours taken, leaving you with at best 4 hours, and I've got to say, that's TIGHT for NY traffic. I'd rent a car and drive to Jamaica bay - right there along the Belt Parkway - and go for a walk.