Deal revives plan for major airbase motor racing event

Pete Sinton, left, and Frank Radisich envisage a gala occasion. Picture / Paul Estcourt

Campaigners for V8 Supercar racing at Whenuapai airbase say they have struck a deal with the Defence Ministry that gives them the right to hold a major motor racing event at the base from 2008 to 2014.

Motor racing legend Frank Radisich and town planner Pete Sinton yesterday said Defence Minister Phil Goff had reviewed conditions of an approval to use the base granted a year ago.

V8 Supercar organisation Avesco said then that some of the conditions were unworkable and that 10 days' use of the base would not be enough to prepare for and run the event.

In February Avesco gave Hamilton the rights to a race around the streets of Frankton for seven years, starting in 2008.

A resource consent for the Hamilton event will be lodged within three months.

Yesterday, Mr Sinton told Waitakere City councillors a new arrangement made with Mr Goff was confidential.

"However, we have the right to proceed to final approval for the motorsport event."

Mr Sinton said the basis of the event was the closure of the base for 10 days in March or April each year.

The event could be planned for seven years from 2008-2014 and a 70-day event management plan had to be approved between the minister and the promoter.

Mr Sinton said about 160,000 people would attend over three days each year, with a range of motor racing events, including classic cars.

"A gala-style event will be held," he said. "This will be supported by local wineries along with a variety of West Auckland ethnic food.

"The opportunity exists for all levels of motor racing including the V8 Supercars."

Mr Goff was last night unavailable to confirm any new deal for air base use with Radisich & Sinton V8 Supercars.

Mr Sinton said the company did not expect it would need a Waitakere City Council resource consent for a temporary activity if it had a traffic management plan.

But the Whenuapai car race campaigners must first head off a bid by the Waitakere City Council to protect the base for a future commercial airport.

At present, the Air Force operates on existing use rights in a rural residential zone.

The council is seeking public views on creating a new "airport special zone".

Mr Sinton said the council's move was ignoring $46 million-a-year benefits of having a motorsport venue instead.

The council and infrastructure assets company Infratil has pushed to commercialise the base since the Government announced that the Air Force would move to Ohakea.

SUPERCAR WARS 1999

* Racing champion Frank Radisich seeks the Defence Minister's consent to use Whenuapai Air Base for a V8 Supercar motorsport event.

* Minister Mark Burton declines.

* April 2005: Radisich successfully appeals to the Prime Minister, with letters of support from Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard and Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee.

* A conditional consent is granted with the Air Force able to reclaim the base at 24 hours' notice if a "significant emergency" arises.

* V8 Supercar organisation Avesco says conditions are unworkable and grants eight-year race rights to Hamilton.

* February 2006: Whenuapai promoters say they have a new arrangement which allows a 10-day annual event from 2008-2014.