Grand Prix venue decided

Manfeild has fought off stiff opposition to retain the prestigious New Zealand Grand Prix hosting rights, but needs to show it can improve the event to keep it long term.

The Feilding motorsport venue was on Monday awarded the hosting rights for the next three years, with the possibility of hosting it for another two. Manfeild beat a proposal from Waikato track Hampton Downs and its owner, businessman Tony Quinn, and an expression of interest from Pukekohe Park.

Manfeild has held the grand prix since 2008, but came under fire after concerns it no longer had the profile the national race deserved.

The bid to keep it in Manawatu was aided by the support of councils from Wellington to Hawke’s Bay, but $100,000 from Manawatu District Council and Palmerston North City Council got it across the line.

Manfeild will keep the event until 2020 and chief executive Julie Keane said they could get it for another two years if they show promoters Speed Works and their director Geoff Short they can be successful.

‘‘Ultimately, we need to continue to grow it,’’ Keane said. ‘‘It needs to increase in stature and needs to be well supported. We had a lot of impetus this year in doubling our gate.’’

Keane couldn’t give a figure for how many people attended this year. About 2500 people attended in 2016 and Central Economic Development Agency figures show there were about 5600 spectators a year later.

Keane was aiming 75000-10,000 people next year.

Manawatu mayor Helen Worboys, Palmerston North for mayor Grant Smith and Rangitikei MP Ian Mckelvie were all involved in supporting the bid.

Additional drawcards such as live entertainment needed to be added to the programme, Worboys said.

‘‘We need to make as much mileage from it as we can and we need to pull people from outside the Manawatu.’’

Short said it was a relatively simple decision to go with Manfeild.

He was impressed with the council support and Manfeild’s ideas to improve the event.

He would have been happy to support either Manfeild or Hampton Downs, but it came down to the quality and commitment evident in the Manawatu proposal.

Well-resourced Quinn was confident his track, which he has spent millions on, would get the rights.

Despite that, Keane never lost hope.