V8s set sail for Shell Series history
31/10/2001 15:56 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
The V8 Supercar circus set sail for the land of the long white cloud early this morning for the first-ever overseas leg of the Shell Championship Series.
The fleet of V8 Supercar transporters, carrying the 30-car field for next week’s Boost Mobile V8 International at Pukekohe Park Raceway near Auckland, was loaded on the giant 38,000-tonne freight liner ‘Talisman’ in Brisbane yesterday for the trans-Tasman journey.
The precious cargo is expected to arrive at the Port of Auckland late on Sunday, before the convoy winds its way to the circuit, 45-minutes outside of Auckland.
The transporters are not permitted on New Zealand motorways as they exceed height and length regulations, so they’ll travel along a back route devised by NZ authorities.
Preparations for the event have stepped up a gear, with the three-level pit complex and new grandstands nearing completion.
Race promoter, IMG’s Geoff Jones, said the V8 International will take motor racing “to a whole new level for New Zealand fans.”
“The whole place has a new look,” he said. "Pit lane looks completely different with a substantial structure incorporating the team garages with corporate suites above.
"There are hospitality suites at the Boost Mobile Esses, inside and outside of the Holden Hairpin and on Ford Mountain, as well as over the pit lane garages.
"Fans will see that the hill stand has been improved with new seating and that we have built a temporary grandstand beside the existing grandstand along the start-finish straight and another at the Holden Hairpin.
”It's going to be a spectacular sight when it's finished and all the signage is up.”
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