New Zealand 2006 and beyond

[Guss]

From ww.car.co.nz

Kiwi options for V8 Supercars
Mark Fogarty


A return to Pukekohe or a move to Christchurch are the only short-term solutions to keeping New Zealand on the V8 calendar next year.

Following Wellington’s failure to get approval for a proposed street race in time for 2006, AVESCO is searching for a stopgap solution until a long-term home for the popular trans-Tasman round can be secured.

V8 Supercar czar Tony Cochrane revealed that Pukekohe, just outside Auckland, and Ruapuna, near Christchurch, were the only contenders for next year.

“We’re trying to find, for the sake of the fans, a short-term solution in NZ and at the same time, start to try and focus on what could be a long-term solution,” Cochrane said.
“There are only two short-term solutions; Pukekohe and the circuit at Christchurch.”
AVESCO CEO Wayne Cattach confirmed that V8 administrators were committed to salvaging the NZ event.

“We will do everything reasonable within out power,” he stated.
While not ruling out a revived bid by Wellington for 2007 and beyond, he warned that the NZ capital had to move quickly.

“We’re not going to lock our options up for effectively three years,” Cattach declared. “They can go through the process and if they are successful, they could anticipate at the end of it that we could probably still be there.”

Added Cochrane: “What we’ve said to them, in a nutshell, is ‘If you want to continue on and keep the game going, be our guest. But we’re not going to lock into your option on that basis.’”

Cattach explained that a return to Pukekohe couldn’t be considered until a potential promoter came forward. “We need a promoter,” he said.

“IMG [whose contract ended with this year’s farewell round’ probably would do it and so would a couple of others, but at this stage we haven’t concluded any arrangements because we’ve only just come out of the mess with Wellington.”

[BlueBlood]

If its down to the two choices for a one off gig surely the track with the existing infrastruture, the resurfaced track and has recently had its best ever V8 supercar weekend has to be the number one pick.
For a one off race, could ruapuna provide the pits, toilets , food etc for a 40k plus crowd?

[Slippy Diff]

Originally Posted by BlueBlood

For a one off race, could ruapuna provide the pits, toilets , food etc for a 40k plus crowd?

Could Pukekohe?? The facilities are ****e. The pit roofs leak!! We had to use eze ups inside to stop us getting wet at the 300km Endurance race. Let them go elsewhere until Hampton Downs is finished.

[Warwick]

Originally Posted by BlueBlood

If its down to the two choices for a one off gig surely the track with the existing infrastruture, the resurfaced track and has recently had its best ever V8 supercar weekend has to be the number one pick.
For a one off race, could ruapuna provide the pits, toilets , food etc for a 40k plus crowd?

It could quite easily,and as far as an overall facility goes is far superior to Pukekohe and a lot more challenging track

[Razor]

AVESCO is thinking of going back to Pukekohe. But I think make the track a bit harder with more tight corners and a bit longer track.

[tanalised]

Originally Posted by Greg Barton

AVESCO is thinking of going back to Pukekohe. But I think make the track a bit harder with more tight corners and a bit longer track.

whats the sense in doing that if they (AVESCO) only guarantee Puke's future on a year by year basis. Surely a track needs to know of some stability in future races to even consider upgrading their race course and facilities?

[BlueBlood]

Originally Posted by Greg Barton

AVESCO is thinking of going back to Pukekohe. But I think make the track a bit harder with more tight corners and a bit longer track.

A longer track would be nice, but tighter corners? Which corners are not tight enough for you? Its a fast flowing track that only a few seem to be able to master.
The latest round held there was the best ever I have been to. The resurfacing made a huge difference to the car set up the teams were able to use.
Great racing, and this from a Ford supporter watching the dark side win!

Maybe a few less light poles would suit some teams though.

[racer69]

I brought up the issue of the long circuit at Pukekohe a while back in another thread. It says in there that the long circuit at Pukekohe is used for the support race paddick at the V8Supercar meetings.

[Raglanparade]

The Puke long circuit hasnt been used for many many years right ??

[TSK]

Originally Posted by racer69

I brought up the issue of the long circuit at Pukekohe a while back in another thread. It says in there that the long circuit at Pukekohe is used for the support race paddick at the V8Supercar meetings.

Courtesy of our friends at Google Maps, here's the Pukekohe track
That long circuit extension loop sure doesn't look too usable for racing any more.

[mixxer]

It says in there that the long circuit at Pukekohe is used for the support race paddock at the V8Supercar meetings.

I can confirm that.
Puk'e is a great track, wish they could stay there.
Damn those horses

[Just Do It!]

Correct, Jason. Mr Eric Watson, owner of the Vodafone Warriors and Westbury Stud, is building a dedicated horse facility on the track extension (the old club circuit), which will occupy the NZ support pit area.

Of course, a visionary would realise that the infield area (the horse track) is a large grassed area.......

[alfasud]

Originally Posted by Just Do It!

Of course, a visionary would realise that the infield area (the horse track) is a large grassed area.......

Such a waste that large grassed area... think what an excellent track it could be if you kept the fast outer section and added a twisty infield section... all in view of the grandstands.

[Timu]

Send the 32 Cars to Taupo next year!

Imagine the bingles that Skaife and Ingall could have around 1.3km of tight and twisty tarmac!!!

[Rombles1]

Couldn't you run a NZ event in Bondi and still get a crowd of local Kiwis? Maybe using that logic they should promote Sandown as a Greek race!

[Raglanparade]

Sandown as greek..

I would have figured with the amount of Asians in Springvale next door it would be like a follow on to the Shanghai round !! hahahahah

[Evomike]

I have been told to expect an announcement in the next 2 weeks

[RamirezNZ]

visit www.lid.co.nz and www.tauporacetrack.co.nz to check out the latest aerial photos of the new Lake Taupo Racetrack extensions. Its going to be the best track in NZ, and its not that far from completion! Taupo has a far better infrastructure to handle large influxes of people than its been given credit for in recent articles regarding hosting major motorsport events. e.g) 3 days ago Taupo's Round the Lake cycle challenge attracted over 11,500 competitors! So add support crews and families and thats no small crowd. Some of the new features are to be the best in the Southern hemisphere.
The extention will increase the length from 1.4km to 3.5km with the main straight barely short of 1 km!!

[Slippy Diff]

Originally Posted by RamirezNZ

Its going to be the best track in NZ, and its not that far from completion!

It's gonna be stop start, tight and twisty without a decent corner on the track. Also a bit narrow.

Originally Posted by RamirezNZ

Taupo has a far better infrastructure to handle large influxes of people than its been given credit for in recent articles regarding hosting major motorsport events. e.g) 3 days ago Taupo's Round the Lake cycle challenge attracted over 11,500 competitors! So add support crews and families and thats no small crowd. Some of the new features are to be the best in the Southern hemisphere.

Yep, over 11,000 and there was not enough accommodation. Just imagine if it was double that number.

[Evomike]

Originally Posted by Slippy Diff

It's gonna be stop start, tight and twisty without a decent corner on the track. Also a bit narrow.


Yep, over 11,000 and there was not enough accommodation. Just imagine if it was double that number.

Yes I agree Slippy, given I couldn't find accomodation (Not even a backpackers) @ the NZV8 round earlier this season with a Womans Triathlon on at the same time, I don't know that Taupo could cope.

[RamirezNZ]

Originally Posted by Slippy Diff

It's gonna be stop start, tight and twisty without a decent corner on the track. Also a bit narrow.


Yep, over 11,000 and there was not enough accommodation. Just imagine if it was double that number.

Not over 11,000. more like 30,000 including support crews. They NEED a bed also. So.... as motorsport fans dont tend to have an entourage for each ticket holder its a far better picture than you depict. Remember hotels etc are booked out for the cycle challenge months in advance, and people need to stay the night (or more) coz theyre preparing to race. A percentage of motorsport fans will go home that night. For really big events there are always loads who offer lodging each year for the cycle challenge to cater for excess entries, as we are a town full of holiday homes remember.

Ah anyway, time will tell, and they do seem to be gearing up for drags and motorbikes. First event: National Summer Drags Jan2 with reserve day 3rd for rain

[Slippy Diff]

Originally Posted by RamirezNZ

First event: National Summer Drags Jan2 with reserve day 3rd for rain

A Kea camper van could accommodate the spectators for that event.

Do you really think there was 30,000+ people in Taupo just for the cycle race?

[Evomike]

Originally Posted by RamirezNZ

Not over 11,000. more like 30,000 including support crews. They NEED a bed also. So.... as motorsport fans dont tend to have an entourage for each ticket holder its a far better picture than you depict. Remember hotels etc are booked out for the cycle challenge months in advance, and people need to stay the night (or more) coz theyre preparing to race. A percentage of motorsport fans will go home that night. For really big events there are always loads who offer lodging each year for the cycle challenge to cater for excess entries, as we are a town full of holiday homes remember.

Ah anyway, time will tell, and they do seem to be gearing up for drags and motorbikes. First event: National Summer Drags Jan2 with reserve day 3rd for rain

I stand by my comment about the NZV8's earlier this year, NO accomodation was available in Taupo or Rotorua. How would Taupo cope with the crowd numbers of a V8 Supercar round? which would be more than the cycle challenge. One would think you had a vested interest in it RamirezNZ.

[Timu]

Itd be great for holding international drag racing events I believe....

Get some Aussies over again such as the Brays, Brett Stevens etc.

[mountainstar]

What about a street race in Invercargill?

I would be in favor of a Ruapuna race, but I think some money would have to be spent to freshen it up a little.