Motorsport: Expect big V8 send-off at Pukekohe

New Zealand motor racing driver Jason Richards is determined that next month's V8 Supercar Championship round at Pukekohe will give the circuit a fitting send off.

Tasman Motorsport Holden Commodore driver Richards said he wanted to perform strongly at the April 15-17 race meet.

"It's the last time that the V8 supercars will be seen at Pukekohe, which holds such a special place for all New Zealand motor race drivers.

"I'd like nothing better than to do really well there," Richards said in a statement.

"I hope it's not the final time that Supercars come to New Zealand completely but if that is the case, then we will be out to put on a really great show."

Wellington is currently lining up to host the V8s after Auckland pulled out of the running.

Before Pukekohe, Richards and the other five New Zealand V8 drivers will line up this weekend in Adelaide for the first round of the championship.

Richards finished 14th in last year's championship and this year in a new VZ Commodore is keen to make a flying beginning in his fifth start on the streets of Adelaide.

"We were fairly quick there last year in the older model VX.

"In the past we've been fast at circuits that are similar to Adelaide so I'm quietly confident Wally's (engineer Wally Storey's) setup will put us up in the mix."

Richards said there had been some teething problems with the new car at the non-championship meeting at the Australian Grand Prix two weeks ago but they had now been ironed out.

The other New Zealanders competing in V8s this year are Greg Murphy, Steven Richards, Simon Wills, Craig Baird and Paul Radisich.

- NZPA