Auckland City Confirmed As Host Of New Zealand's 2006 - And Beyond - Aussie V8 Supercar Round
21/5/2004 20:41 (Press Release) -
Auckland City was today confirmed as the new location for the 2006 New Zealand round of the Aussie V8 Supercar series. The rumble of V8 Supercars will first be heard around the 2.6km long city circuit in April of that year, and for the six years following.
"The street circuit will bring Aussie V8 Supercar racing – and the perennial Ford/ Holden battle – to the people," said Ford New Zealand Corporate Sponsorship, Events and Promotions Manager, Sarah Henderson.
"Auckland has been missing a major international sporting event since the loss of the America's Cup, and this void will be filled by the Supercar race. This round of the series will quickly become a major annual event on the New Zealand sporting calendar."
Three of the 13 rounds of the current Aussie V8 Supercar series are held at street circuits in Melbourne, Adelaide and on the Gold Coast. All three races generate huge amounts of spectator interest and media attention.
Ross Stone, co-owner of the 2003 championship winning Stone Brothers Racing team (and originally from Pukekohe), expressed his support for the Auckland street circuit.
"It is great to see Aussie V8 Supercar racing grow to this level in New Zealand," he said.
"Pukekohe is a round that we would love to win – it would mean a lot for us to experience victory there, but I guess we now just have one more shot at it (in 2005) before we move on."
"We've been racing in New Zealand a few times now, and I've been impressed by the knowledge base that Kiwi supporters have about V8 Supercar racing. The fans are passionate whether they are Ford or Holden supporters, and I am a believer that the support we have in New Zealand could justify a couple of races in the future."
New Zealand's favourite Ford son, Paul Radisich, holds similar views about the Auckland City street race announcement.
"Pukekohe has a lot of memories as a track, but take Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 or the Gold Coasts Indy event - they each include a true carnival atmosphere which is very difficult to replicate at an established race circuit,” he said.
“This new style of presentation certainly adds glamour and more excitement to an already popular event, whist adding far wider appeal to the general public. I truly believe Auckland will be no exception to this trend”.
The street circuit will also create a variety of new challenges for the drivers.
“From a drivers point of view, the street circuits are generally narrow with very little room for error, however that all adds to the excitement for the viewing public," said Radisich.
“A street race such as the one proposed would certainly lift the profile of the V8 Supercar Series, not only nationally but internationally as well, which has to be good for the sport."
Release Date: 20/05/2004
Ford Racing Australia
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