Motorsport: How Pukekohe got horsepower

Bruce McLaren wins his home GP in 1964

Horses have been galloping round the Pukekohe track for more than 80 years but four-wheeled horsepower didn't arrive until 1963. The rain-drenched New Zealand Grand Prix at Ardmore airfield was won by Stirling Moss in 1962 but planes would have preference there from then on.

The move to a permanent home on Franklin Racing Club land was a race against the clock, greatly assisted by a generous loan from W.A.Stevenson and Sons, who built the track.

It was ready in time for John Surtees, the only man to win world championships on two and four wheels, to win the Grand Prix in the summer of 1963.

Over the next five years there were wins for such great drivers as Bruce McLaren, Jackie Stewart, Chris Amon and Graham Hill.

Keke Rosberg won in 1977 and 1978 before he became world F1 champion.

The big races were originally run on a bigger track than the present layout, extending into the area now used as the pits for the support classes on V8 Supercar weekends.

When saloon cars began to rival the single-seaters for popularity, the focus shifted to the Benson and Hedges endurance events, featuring drivers such as Jim Richards.

Greg Murphy has been King of Pukekohe since the Supercars arrived but several others racing this weekend have had their moments. Ken Smith, these days in a Toyota, won the Grand Prix in 1976 and 1990. Craig Baird, who will drive a Porsche, won the first of his three Grand Prix here in 1991.

Paul Radisich, who drives a V8 for Team Kiwi, won the Grand Prix in 1988 and crossed the line first the next year, only to be disqualified for a premature start. Andy Booth, a New Zealand V8 driver, won the last Grand Prix at Pukekohe six years ago.

One relic of the glory days of the Grand Prix will be on display this weekend. The New Zealand Motor Cup, which carries a host of illustrious names, will be awarded to the winner of the second Toyota race.