Pitstop: Build it first, then we might bring the Supercars

Build it and we might come - that is the message for rival track promoters in the wake of Wellington's V8 supercar street race getting the wobbles.

Tony Cochrane, chairman of Avesco, the controlling body for the Aussie V8 series, was characteristically blunt when asked about the prospects of the proposed Hampton Downs circuit near Meremere if Wellington's bid fell over.

He said there was nothing to discuss until there was something to see on the site, and he gave the example of the apartments proposed at Bathurst but still unsighted.

In the wake of the one-year postponement at best of the Wellington race, Taupo and Manfeild have rejoined the fray. But Pukekohe has the inside running because the track is there, it will be available for next year and could well host the Supercars beyond that with a bit of inventive use of space to accommodate the support classes.

Both Taupo and Manfeild have the disadvantage that they are not favoured as corporate venues. But their fundamental flaw is that the track and infrastructure improvements needed seem to depend on the V8s coming, and Cochrane wants to see more than plans before committing.

Tony Roberts, managing director of Hampton Downs, understands Cochrane's approach and also supports Pukekohe's continuation as a motorsport venue.

His best-case scenario is that the new Hampton Downs circuit will gain resort consent from the Waikato District Council to allow construction to start in October-November and run through to next April.

After the winter break, earthworks would be completed to allow the track to open in March 2007.

Hampton Downs will be built to the international category two standard, allowing races for all classes below Formula One. The Aussie V8s demand only category three.

Roberts says Hampton Downs would meet the standards required to stage a round of the new A1 Grand Prix series due to roar into life this year. Motor magnate Colin Giltrap holds the rights for the New Zealand team in the series, and he wants to attract a round to this country.

Giltrap, who has done an enormous amount for New Zealand motorsport talent behind the scenes over the years, is not one to seek the limelight. But he was prominent in the pits for the Toyota single-seaters at Pukekohe and enthusiastic about the A1 series.

He said he had been struggling to bring enough sponsors on board but was prepared to dip into his own pocket to make sure the New Zealand entry went ahead.

Graham Watson, the Aussie-based Kiwi who has assisted the careers of several New Zealand drivers, is keen to be involved.

We can match 'em

The New Zealand V8 touring cars again demonstrated at Pukekohe that they can match the Aussie Supercars as a racing spectacle.

Competition is fierce, the teams are very professional and there tends to be more overtaking in a class that is going from strength to strength.

It is easy to forget that the drivers are basically amateurs, who head back to their real jobs on Monday, and when their cars get damaged, many of them are faced with paying the bills themselves.

Hard then to quibble, but there may come a time when driving standards become an issue and those who regularly seem to be causing safety car interventions have their participation at this level reviewed.

Motorsport New Zealand and notably the president, Southlander Steven Kennedy, have at times been ambivalent about the value of the Aussie V8 round. But how else is he going to deliver hours of live cover free to air on the Government television channel to our premier series?

Single seaters

After the success of the inaugural series of the Toyota single-seaters, co-ordinator Barrie Thomlinson is keen to increase the number of cars next season from 16 or 17 to 25.

He believes many of this season's drivers will enter again next year, some will lease or sell cars and there will be plenty of takers for new cars.

Argyle promoted

Manawatu driver Geof Argyle has been promoted to second in the Asia Pacific rally standings after the second-placed car in the first round at Canberra was disqualified on a technicality. Finn Jussi Valimaki leads the field.