Pukekohe likely V8 venue

Pukekohe looks the likely host of the 2006 V8 Supercar race, after Wellington's bid hit the skids.

Two hours before a month of public consultation was due to close yesterday, the Wellington City Council announced it had pulled the plug on next year's plans but was forging ahead with a proposal for 2007.

The news met delight in Pukekohe, which had been resigned to losing the race.

Team Pukekohe spokesman Murray Wood said the town would be "more than happy" to welcome back the event next year.

"When the big cities struck we didn't have a lot of ammunition to fire back, but if anything failed we were waiting here."

However, the Wellington u-turn could open the door for other racetracks, such as Manfeild in Feilding.

Manfeild Park Trust chairman Ben Vanderkolk said a bid for the race to be held in Manawatu was still "on the table" with the Avesco board.

The Wellington decision comes just days after Tony Cochrane, chairman of the race organisers and V8 governing body Avesco, met council officials "with a view to moving forward" next year's event, and follows concerns over the commercial viability of the proposed racetrack.

Franklin District Council deputy mayor Murray Kay welcomed the opportunity to host another Supercar race at Pukekohe.

"For motor racing fans in Franklin and outside, I'm sure it would be well-received."

He said the site already had resource consent.

- NZPA