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?

[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.

[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

[Raglanparade]

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

[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.

[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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Slippy Diff]

Originally Posted by 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.

Until we have a circuit worthy of the top motorsport disciplines, they should stop away.

[Marcos Skaife]

Originally Posted by 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.

A street race in dunedin would be better! We have streets with the elevation of Bathurst and corners to match.

[Biggy G]

Originally Posted by Marcos Skaife

We have streets with the elevation of Bathurst

Do you ever! I made the mistake of trekking up one of them when down there for the Lions game. Walked from The Wharehouse at the Bottom of the hill to Countdown at the top, didn't realise just how long it was going to take!

But back on topic, I think us South Islanders just need to get used to the fact we wont be getting a round down here in the for seeable future. If its going to move it will be to Hampton Downs when its completed, they (AVESCO or VESA or what ever the hell they call themselves now) cant ignore a world class structure just sitting there