Pukekohe secures V8 International until 2005
23/3/2002 15:07 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
Auckland’s Pukekohe Park Raceway has been retained as hosts of the trans-Tasman V8 International in November.
In a major boost to New Zealand motorsport, the country’s premier racing complex this week signed a four-year agreement with event organisers IMG, beating four rival bids for hosting rights. It is understood a Clipsal 500-like street event, possibly in Auckland or Wellington, was considered.
The deal will see further upgrades to the 2.8km venue, including construction of an over-track pedestrian bridge and extra grandstand seating.
Last year’s inaugural V8 International at Pukekohe was a spectacular and seamless success, attracting more than 87,000 fans across the three-day carnival.
"We had interest from four different venues to stage this race, but after assessing all of the options, we decided Pukekohe was a known quantity for us,” IMG Director of Motorsport, Geoff Jones, said.
“It had a great response in 2001 from both the drivers and the New Zealand fans and the improvements we have planned will only continue to enhance the event.
"This year, we'll have an extra support category, more on-track entertainment and spectators will have better access to drivers with improved pit and paddock access planned."
Last year’s V8 International champion, local favourite Greg Murphy, welcomed the return to Pukekohe Park.
“I think it's great we're going back, IMG did a great job last year with the circuit to make it look fantastic and I take my hat off to them for doing all the hard work," he said.
"I think it would've been a shame to run away after one year. Realistically, any place we went was going to need a lot of work and the majority of the infrastructure is already in place at Pukekohe.
"There's great viewing areas, it's an exciting place to watch and access to the place is just fantastic.”
The Boost Mobile V8 International is the 12th and penultimate round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, on November 8-10.
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