V8 chief: Fans forced my u-turn

Vee Eight Supercar chairman Tony Cochrane says he has no problem in backtracking over the Pukekohe track. Picture / Kenny Rodger

The man behind V8 Supercar racing admitted yesterday that he had backtracked in allowing New Zealand to host a leg of the championship at the Pukekohe Park Raceway for the next two years.

"I'm on record as saying Pukekohe is not up to scratch and nothing has changed - it's not up to scratch," said Tony Cochrane, chairman of the Vee Eight Supercar Company.

"I've no problem in saying I'm backtracking because the fans don't care what I say or do. They care about motorsport in New Zealand."

Mr Cochrane was in Auckland yesterday to announce a two-year conditional lifeline for New Zealand to host V8 racing.

The event will be held at Pukekohe next year and in 2007, ending months of speculation that New Zealand would lose the race after failing to come up with a suitable venue.

Public opposition dashed proposals to hold the race on central city roads in Auckland and Wellington, and a deal could not be reached to use Whenuapai airbase in West Auckland.

Mr Cochrane said his decision was the first step to ensure the event had longevity here.

The V8 series this year expanded to China and Mr Cochrane has visited the Middle East to discuss holding future races there.

"This decision to return to Pukekohe in the interim was made as a commitment to the people of New Zealand and motorsport in general in this country," he said.

As part of the deal promoters Capital Streetrace Management, led by Dean Calvert, will pay to airfreight the 32 Supercar teams into the country.

Mr Calvert, who promoted the event at Pukekohe for the past five years, said it would cost $5 million a year to stage, but it was well worth it.

"This event attracted 90,000 fans to Pukekohe this year and has a potential global television audience of 850 million," he said.

"We will do everything in our power to find a new venue after the two years to ensure the event does not leave our shores, because if this happens, it will be gone for good."

The race will be held from April 21 to 23 next year under the new name Placemakers V8 Supercars. The two-year contract gives promoters time to come up with plans for after Pukekohe is transformed into a premier horse racing and training venue.

Mr Calvert said it was too early to talk about locations, but wherever it was would have to be "financially viable and sustainable for a seven-year period".

Driver Greg Murphy, who won the past two events at Pukekohe, said it was "vital" to continue racing there until an alternative venue was found. He still hoped a street race could one day be introduced.

"It's not only a case of wanting a street race - New Zealand fans deserve an event like that."