Racing club confirms V8 writ issued

Auckland Racing Club chief executive Chris Weaver admits he did not know his club had issued a writ against the Counties Racing Club.

In reference to the Herald's story yesterday morning, Weaver told Radio Sport that the newspaper was incorrect that a writ had been issued over the V8 Supercars possibly being run at Pukekohe in 2006.

"You have to separate what actually happened to what you've seen in the media," he said on air.

But yesterday afternoon he admitted to the Herald : "I had that wrong. I hadn't been aware it had been filed."

Weaver said on air that the writ had been drawn up as a tool for his club to use in what was obviously going to be a tough wrangle over V8 Supercar rights.

Counties Racing Club officials were issued with a copy of the writ last week. It states that the club had given assurances to the Auckland Racing Club that, in return for a $2.2 million pledge to significantly upgrade training facilities at Pukekohe, it would not entertain ideas of having the V8s at the centre after this year's event.

Weaver said it was unfortunate the issue had become public. "Look, we don't want to pour petrol on this. Having it debated in the newspaper won't get us to a resolution."

Weaver said he was unconvinced using the courts was the right path. "But filing a writ makes you appear serious about the issue."

The ARC is adamant it was given assurances by the CRC that the V8s would not return to Pukekohe and the CRC is equal in its resolve that such guarantees were not given.

Avesco, the Australian-based V8 governing body, is watching the action keenly, but saying very little.

"Our position hasn't changed in that we have made no decisions about 2006 or even whether it will be in New Zealand," media manager Cole Hitchcock said.

"Having said that, we will do everything in our power to ensure we don't disappoint our legion of supporters in New Zealand."