Kiwi fans to miss out on Supercars
New Zealand has been left off the Supercars calendar for next year, with no suitable venue found to replace Pukekohe Park.
Supercars released its schedule for the 2023 season yesterday with the lack of a round in New Zealand being the big omission.
While there will be no Supercars race in New Zealand next year, Supercars chief executive Shane Howard said they are looking at a trip across the Tasman in 2024 and beyond and are in talks with promoters.
‘‘We are still in progressive talks with our counterparts there for an event in the future.
‘‘We have every intention to return to New Zealand and we are confident of an announcement in the new year regarding a partnership with a new venue.’’
Pukekohe Park is closing down early next year as a motorsport venue. Most of the talk about where a Supercars round in New Zealand would move to had been around Hampton Downs.
However, as the circuit is south of the Auckland border, there is an issue over how much Tataki Auckland Unlimited should contribute towards the event.
There are also concerns about the limited number of spectators who’d be able to attend a round of Supercars at the there, plus the lack of grandstands and spectator facilities and its close proximity to State Highway One.
Other circuits that have been mentioned include Taupo International Motorsport Park, Highlands Park in Cromwell and Ruapuna Raceway in Christchurch.
None of those venues offer the perfect solution as a replacement for Pukekohe Park.
In a statement from Tataki Auckland Unlimited, it said the council funded organisation was keen on having Supercars back within its boundaries. ‘‘We will continue to explore the potential for future hosting of the Supercars Championship in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.’’
A return to New Zealand for Supercars would likely also require government money.
MBIE’s Manager NZ Major Events, Kylie Hawker-Green said it is looking into how Supercars could be supported.
But the news that there won’t be any Supercars in New Zealand next year will be a significant blow to motorsport fans in this country, already disappointed by confirmation that Rally NZ won’t be on the World Rally Championship calendar next year.
This year, huge crowds turned out to watch the first Supercars round in New Zealand since 2019.