Pukekohe may rumble again

Team Kiwi’s Paul Radisich sets the third fastest time in practice at Pukekohe yesterday. Picture / Richard Robinson

Pukekohe's "final rumble" for the V8 Supercars may extend for at least another 12 months.

Tony Cochrane, chairman of Avesco, which will make the decision about next year's New Zealand venue, conceded yesterday that rather than leave fans in this country without a round, Pukekohe would be an option.

In the past he has insisted that the circuit south of Auckland was past its use-by date and that a street circuit in Auckland or Wellington would be used.

Auckland rejected the proposal last year and the Wellington City Council has yet to make a final decision. Cochrane insisted that Wellington was the preferred option.

"We are giving every opportunity that we can," he said. "We have given them until May 12 to try and finalise their process.

"We're great believers in democracy. It's a wonderful thing democracy. We hope the citizens of Wellington have their say and we'll run with the majority view.

"If the majority want a street circuit we'll be there. If the majority don't want us we'll respect the views of the majority.

"I want to make one point very, very clear. We love coming to New Zealand. We've got a fantastic fan base here. Six of our drivers are Kiwis and around 140 New Zealanders are employed in the series.

"This country has a very proud heritage of motorsport and we aren't going to turn our backs on that lightly.

"We are in the process of doing everything we possibly can to find a way to continue coming to New Zealand."

Cochrane was much more conciliatory than he was when he was promoting the Auckland street race with mayor John Banks. He was lavish in his praise for the mayor of Wellington, Kerry Prendergast, and her council: "I like them as people. They're upfront, they're honest. There are safety concerns with the circuit, but we're talking them through and I think it will be a massive event."

He was at first reluctant to concede that a return to Pukekohe next year was a possibility if Wellington was ruled out, but he said Avesco would do everything possible not to turn its back on its New Zealand fans and as far as Pukekohe was concerned it was "never say never".

"I am impressed that in the last year of their contract, when there were track problems, they really went out of their way to fix them to our satisfaction. That really earned some brownie points with me and the management of Avesco."

He conceded that, while he had no plan B if Wellington didn't eventuate, Pukekohe would be a possible option for Avesco to keep faith with the fans.

A decision on next year's timetable has to be made by June and any New Zealand fixture would likely remain in April, with the teams flying rather than sailing across the Tasman.

Eric Mallard, long-time boss of the New Zealand Grand Prix, which promotes motorsport at Pukekohe, said that despite the extension of horse-racing activities, the track would be available next year.

The area to be lost was being used as base for the support race classes but alternatives could be found if necessary.

The Hampton Downs circuit, which is planned near Meremere, did not enter Avesco calculations. Cochrane said it could not be considered until something had been built.

Most of the V8 Supercar drivers like the Pukekohe circuit because it offers a mix of fast and slow corners and rates as one of the fastest racing circuits in the Southern Hemisphere.