‘Exceptional’ demand for Supercars tickets
A new corporate lounge and another grandstand will be built at Taupō International Motorsport Park as “exceptional” demand for tickets sees the event almost sold out.
Taupō will host the ITM Taupō Super400 for the first time in April, and Supercars chief executive Shane Howard said they wanted to see as many fans as they could at the event.
He said demand for tickets had been “exceptional”. All the grandstand seats had sold out along with all the corporate sites, leading organisers to build another grandstand, release more general admission tickets, and set up a new corporate lounge.
Howard said the new Gold Reserved Grandstand would provide premium viewing for spectators at turn 13, leading into the start/finish line, providing views of the two fastest straights on the track.
The new Taupō Lounge facility will be located at turn 9 to meet demand from corporate spectators.
“With just 60 days to go until our debut in Taupō, we are incredibly excited about our return to New Zealand ... at this amazing circuit in one of the most scenic parts of the world we have ever raced,“he said.
Taupō mayor David Trewavas said Taupō would be “the place to be” this April, and the extra grandstand and corporate offerings were a good sign the event would be well supported.
“We are so privileged to be hosting such a popular event, and accommodation throughout the district is filling quickly.
“The economic boost this will provide to our local economy cannot be underestimated.
“We are supportive of Supercars working with the commercial and private accommodation sectors to ensure we can squeeze everyone in, along with increasing self-contained accommodation locations. We’re excited to see our regional neighbours benefit from the event, too,” he said.
Taupō will become the 35th venue to host a championship round, and will join Pukekohe and the streets of Hamilton as a host of championship Supercars racing.
Supercars secured the Taupō round after collaborating with the former Government’s Major Events Fund team and the Taupō District Council, and will see Supercar racing in Taupō for at least the next three years.
The new Government’s Economic Development Minister, Melissa Lee, said it was “excellent to see how popular this event is proving to be”.