Manfeild slammed by NZGP host rival
Plaque to Helen Kelly unveiled
The owner of a Waikato racing track that lost a bid to host the New Zealand Grand Prix believes the event is destined to die a slow death at Manfeild.
Grand Prix promoter Speedworks announced this month that Manawatu’s Manfeild venue would retain hosting rights for the next three years, following a bidding process that also included Tony Quinn’s Hampton Downs in North Waikato and the Pukekohe Park Raceway.
Feilding’s Manfeild venue has held the event since 2008.
Quinn, a former pet food tycoon, has been vocal in his criticism of Manfeild, which came under fire after concerns were raised that it no longer gave the national race the profile it deserved.
Quinn said he did not think the event would grow at Manfeild.
‘‘Most countries will give the Grand Prix to the best track in the country. That hasn’t happened,’’ he said.
‘‘Manfeild’s had it for years. The fact of the matter is, they haven’t done anything with it.
‘‘I’ve got the ideal track here at Hampton Downs to make a big event of it and [Speedworks] didn’t want it. I’m not going to buy another track and give it another crack.’’
Manfeild chief executive Julie Keane did not wish to publicly respond to Quinn’s comments but three-time New Zealand Grand Prix winner Kenny Smith was keen to point out that Manfeild was one of his favourite venues.
‘‘I’ve probably done more miles on Manfeild than anyone else... I love it.
Smith said the national race would struggle to attract visitors where ever it was held.
‘‘It’s harder to attract people. Promoters need to start thinking about what people want, not what they want. It needs more New Zealanders, three is not enough. Something like muscle cars would be popular.’’
Smith said Quinn was passionate about motorsport and would have done a ‘‘good enough’’ job with the event.
‘‘You have to take your hat off to Tony. He can be a hard man in business, but his heart is in the right place. No one would have spent all that money on a race track if they weren’t serious about growing the sport in New Zealand.’’
Quinn said when he bought the 140 hectare Hampton Downs circuit in 2015, motorsport was in a grim state. Someone needed to spend money to make money, he said.
An ‘‘extravagant’’ support package from the Manawatu District Council and Palmerston North City Council got Manfeild across the line during the bidding process, Quinn said.
‘‘Manawatu threw $100,000 at the promoter and that was a done deal, I think.
‘‘I wasn’t prepared to go that far. I’ve done everything by myself – I’ve never approached councils for money. If that’s how they want to do it then good luck to them.’’ While motorsport in New Zealand only had a niche audience, Quinn said the sport was experiencing a resurgence. His plan would have been to target the Auckland market had he won the hosting rights.
Quinn said he would now accept the decision and move on. The grand prix was just one race in a 5-round Toyota Racing Series, and he would likely host one of the other events at Hampton Downs.
Speedworks’ Geoff Short said Quinn had been ‘‘very vocal’’ on the matter for the past 12 months.
‘‘There was never any indication Hampton Downs would receive hosting rights to the Grand Prix.
‘‘We went to Manawatu – their proposal was very good.’’
Under the new deal Short will have the final say in promotion of the race. Previously, Manfeild and Short had shared 50/50 control.
Keane said she was meeting with the Palmerston North and Manawatu District mayors next week to prepare a ‘‘big picture’’ plan.
‘‘Ultimately, it’s Geoff’s decision as to what we can do further next year.
‘‘The good thing is that this will be a three year plan and not a one year plan as it was last year.’’