Craig Lowndes races along the main straight during the Supercars race at Pukekohe Park in 2014.
Craig Lowndes races along the main straight during the Supercars race at Pukekohe Park in 2014.
The chequered flag associated with motorsport activities at Pukekohe Park will wave for the last time next year amid plans by Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) to further develop the site for their own purposes.
The last motorsport event at the racecourse will be on April 2 2023 before the site turns its focus to ATR's thoroughbred racing activities.
ATR chief executive Paul Wilcox said that while the motorsport closure does represent the end of an era, it will pave the way for the Club to continue in its plans to futureproof the sport of thoroughbred racing in Auckland.
"We can appreciate today's announcement will be big news for many," Wilcox said.
"Motorsport has undoubtedly had a strong association with Pukekohe Park, becoming synonymous with our racecourse since the first-time cars and bikes raced on it in 1962.
Horses crossing the motor track at Pukekohe Park. Photo / Trish Dunell
"However, our purpose is to facilitate thoroughbred racing at our Auckland venues with our vision being to provide a sustainable future for our sport in New Zealand.
"Part of that remit has seen us undertake a $40m+ project to deliver a world-class racing surface at Ellerslie and, during our recent merger process, we also made no secret of the fact that we hope to significantly increase average stakes money to help retain industry participants and attract growth both for our sport locally and for the long-term.
"To better support those activities and help ensure we become a financially viable, internationally recognised racing club that delivers to industry participants, we see a need to increase the training density in the region and have identified our site at Pukekohe Park as being an ideal location for that.
"As a result, we are developing plans to build additional stabling facilities at the racecourse to accommodate an increased horse population.
"Unfortunately, however, it is not conducive to have both motorsport activities and an increased numbers of horses stabled on site – hence our decision not to renew Pukekohe Motorsport's lease with us from April 2023."
Supercars CEO Shane Howard said it was a great loss but they had venue options available.
"It's obviously a great loss to farewell a circuit with so much history and heritage to both New Zealand and Australian racing.
"Legends were created here, and it was the location of Supercars' first ever international Championship race, it's legacy will live on for many years to come.
"We have other great venue options available and will now begin discussions regarding our 2023 calendar.
"It's our absolute intent to continue racing in New Zealand and we are now exploring alternative venues for the New Zealand event for the future."
Motor racing great Kenny Smith was the first New Zealand resident to claim the New Zealand Grand Prix with victory at Pukekohe in 1976. He said it was a sad day to lose the venue.
"I couldn't believe it. I had to check to make sure nobody was telling me a bunch of rubbish. I understand the property and land there is so valuable and I suppose if you owned it you'd have to do something with it. But it's been there for 60 years. I thought Pukekohe would be there for life. Losing it is a very sad day," the 80-year-old said.
"Sixty years and we've had some of the best drivers in the world out there. We would have Formula One drivers coming out and you'll never see that again."
"We're grateful that we've got Hampton Downs, which is not that much further on and it's a great track too, but the memories are all at the other track," Smith added.
Managing director of Pukekohe Motorsport, Gary Stirling, whose company has enjoyed a lease with the Club since 2020, reflects on the decision in saying "this will be a loss for the motorsport fraternity and also a game changer for motorsport in New Zealand. Pukekohe has been the start of many great careers that have put New Zealand on the world stage and dominated the pinnacle of world motorsport.
"Although I am unhappy to be losing use of the park, I understand ATR's future plans and respect their decision for them to grow their business. Hearing their plans, it was clear to see that motorsport just could not function at the park in conjunction with the Club's future plans."
Pukekohe Motorsport will be hosting many events over the coming months including the Aussie Supercars and Playday and MotoTT test days for both car and motorcycles.
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing next races at Pukekohe Park when it kicks off its new season of racing on 1 November where it will be hosting the Club's traditional Melbourne Cup Raceday which has been transferred from Ellerslie due to the track there undergoing an upgrade.
