V8 race glorifies speed and fuel consumption, say Greens

The Green Party is questioning the sanity of Auckland City Council in staging the V8 Supercar race around the central city "at a time of chronic congestion, rocketing fuel prices and increasing evidence of global warming".

"Having listened in one week to Auckland Mayor John Banks pleading for billions of dollars in special funding for his pet motorway, we now see his council prepared to provide millions in interest free loans to create three weeks of traffic chaos," said Green Co-leader and Transport spokesperson, Jeanette Fitzsimons.

She said Transit's warning that the risks to the region's transport network were so great that the event should not proceed appear to have been completely ignored.

"The forecast gridlock will bring a massive increase in air pollution and fuel consumption. At a time of global warning, diminishing oil supplies and worsening air quality in Auckland, the message this race sends is almost beyond belief.

"Auckland is about to get over a billion dollars to provide serious opportunities for public transport use, walking and cycling and improved quality of life. Do we really want to glorify an event that manages to use a maximum amount of fossil fuel to travel a minimum amount of distance, at speeds well beyond the acceptable safety limit for ordinary motorists?"

She said it was ironic that many Aucklanders would be forced to leave their vehicles at home because of an event that glorifies cars, speed and the conspicuous consumption of fuel.