Supercars set to remain at Pukekohe

The New Zealand round of the Supercars series looks set to remain after the current contract expires later this year.

Attendances have been down for the past couple of years at the ITM Auckland Supersprint in Pukekohe and there has been doubt about whether Australasia’s biggest motor racing category would continue in New Zealand.

Last year’s crowd over the weekend was 106,753, that’s down from 116,544 the previous year.

However, it is understood Supercars and Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (Ateed), who are significant funders of the event, are close to signing a new contract for the race to remain in New Zealand.

An issue the 54-year-old circuit faces is that it’s showing its age.

The facilities are well below what would be expected for a significant sporting event like a Supercars race weekend.

Last November Supercars CEO James Warburton told Stuff that the venue needed upgrading and this would be one of the talking points during contract negotiations.

‘‘The spectator side is fantastic, but it is always about facilities.

‘‘Food and beverage, viewing platforms and the amenities,’’ Warburton said.

‘‘We need those things to be continually updated and that’s something we talk to the government and Ateed with during our renewal process.’’

At last year’s racing, the bumpy track surface at turns one, seven and eight had become more of an issue and although the drivers enjoy racing at the track, things like this put them off.

Supercars are looking to expand their brand into Asia and it would no doubt be easier for them to dump Auckland, where there is the added expense of fly- ing the cars over, than one of the other rounds.

Ateed CEO Brett O’Riley said during last year’s Supercars round at Pukekohe that he was disappointed with the crowd numbers and thought more people would have turned up to watch Shane van Gisbergen.

However it appears both sides have agreed to move forward and an announcement will be made over the next couple of months that Supercars will stay at Pukekohe. Ateed would not comment further about the announcement.