KEY POINTS:
As the smoke cleared after the mass burnout by drivers in the New Zealand V8 Championship yesterday, there wasn't much left to see at Pukekohe Park Raceway.
Discarded hot chips cartons and empty pre-mix bourbon and coke cans lay strewn between the low, narrow wooden benches on Ford Mountain.
Most of the 51,347 fans were already filing through the exits. Some had bolted as soon as the drawcard V8 Supercars had taken the chequered flag but most had stayed to watch the Kiwi drivers in the final race of the day. With that over, just a few stragglers remained, peering through the gloom as race-day announcers performed the last rites.
As next year's V8 Supercars are set to roar around the streets of Hamilton, the seven-year 'Puke' era is over.
"I think it's sad to see it gone, I really do," said Debbie Waldon, a diehard who had stayed to the end.
Dressed in Holden Racing Team livery, the Manurewa personal assistant had stood and waved her flag throughout the 20-lap final race.
Like just about every fan spoken to by the Herald yesterday, Debbie Waldon - who attended all seven years at Pukekohe - said she would "most definitely" be going to Hamilton next year. But she was unhappy Auckland's regional authorities hadn't done more to try to keep the event.
"Shame on Auckland for not snapping it up. This is something that Auckland needs. Pukekohe is still south Auckland. Keep it in Auckland."
Richie Nichols, a Wellingtonian who first came to Pukekohe in 1985, was equally disappointed.
"It'll be quite sad to see it disappear from Pukekohe. I'm not much of a street fan myself, street circuits can be a little boring."
Like Debbie Waldon, the 39-year-old mechanic and limousine driver said he'd be in Hamilton next year.
"I'd go anywhere in New Zealand to see the V8s."
Alan Hastings, a 35-year-old Whangarei labourer said the trip to Hamilton wouldn't bother him.
"I'd rather see it stay here in Puke. It's a very sad day. But I am looking forward to seeing how they set things up down in Hamilton and seeing what they do to keep us spectators enthusiastic."
Alan Bennett, at the race with his 15-year-old daughter Hannah, said they would also be making the trip to Hamilton. While it was sad to see the end of the Puke era, it hadn't dimmed his enthusiasm.
"I just love the V8s mate, just love them."
