Airbase plan for V8 races revived

Plans to host V8 Supercar racing at the Whenuapai airbase have been resurrected - marking a last-ditch bid for a New Zealand leg of the competition.

Defence Minister Mark Burton originally rejected a plan to host the event at Whenuapai after being warned off by military chiefs concerned about interference to Air Force operations and potential damage to facilities.

But he has now called for more talks about the plan with Supercar promoters today.

The Herald understands the Prime Minister stepped in after racing supporters sent her a 25-page report detailing the benefits of the event and the ways in which it could work.

Whenuapai town planner Pete Sinton, one of the report's authors, said it was New Zealand's last chance to be involved in V8 racing.

"This is absolutely last-ditch stuff," he said. "It's not a case of us pressuring the Government. The pressure is from Australia."

Avesco, the Australian event organisers, had become increasingly frustrated with New Zealand's apparent inability to "get its act together".

Mr Sinton said he and motor-racing champion Paul Radisich would travel to Wellington for the meeting.

The event has outgrown its traditional Pukekohe home, and plans to stage it as a street race in Auckland were dropped in November.

Wellington stepped in, but abandoned the plan last Friday, citing problems with resource consents.

Supporters of the Whenuapai proposal believe the event could thrive there, with little disruption to traffic or the local community. They argue that it could turn into an event to rival the America's Cup.

A spokeswoman for Mr Burton last night confirmed a meeting was going ahead today, but said the minister would not comment further until after the talks.