Sales dip no worry for V8 race chief

Although ticket sales are slower than last year, Hamilton 400 organisers say it will be the 'best yet'. Photo / Getty Images

Despite slower ticket sales, the organiser of tomorrow's third ITM 400 Hamilton V8 series is promising an event he says will be the best yet.

The cash boost for the local economy might not match the $28 million pumped into it during the inaugural 2008 event, but organiser Steve Vuleta said motorsport fans could still expect a quality experience.

He said about 92,000 tickets had been sold by yesterday, or about 30,000 fans each day for the three-day event.

The figure shows a steady decline since the first event two years ago when 172,000 people flocked to the event in central Hamilton.

Last year more than 121,800 fans watched the event over the three days.

"The numbers are definitely down this year," said Mr Vuleta. "Corporates are probably at 70 per cent of where they were last year, and that's probably a sign of the recession."

"Our [daily] capacity is 50,000 but that's really pushing it and we found that in the first year when it was really, really full.

"These days we have a more purist crowd who want to see the race."

Mr Vuleta was expecting a healthy walk-up crowd and had reduced ticket prices by 25 per cent - a three-day pass now costs $79 - to get the fans through the gates. A general admission ticket costs $19.

He said there were fewer than 2700 grandstand seats left and urged fans to buy ahead.

While the event had well-publicised problems, with many fans complaining about poor views from the Mill St grandstand in 2008, Mr Vuleta said all the issues had been ironed out.

The manager of the Hamilton I-site visitors centre, Liz Stolwyk, said accommodation was again at a premium. Most of the city's motel rooms had been booked although a few were available, as were s bed and breakfast and lodge options.

A MetService forecast predicts mainly fine but slightly cooler weather for the three days.