Leading V8 Supercars drivers are calling for a second New Zealand race weekend to be added to the series’ calendar.
There has one round on this side of the Tasman since 2001 – an event that’s established itself on the New Zealand sporting landscape.
However, it is a costly logistical exercise to fly over all the cars, equipment and staff, but with the success Kiwi drivers Scott McLaughlin, Fabian Coulthard and Shane van Gisbergen are having, there may never be a better time to add another New Zealand round.
“I definitely think there should be another race in New Zealand” Coulthard said.
“Being a New Zealander I don’t do enough racing at home anyway.
“I think it would have to be back-to-back weeks. Logistically, it’s a better proposal, and it’s more inviting for us to go bang bang. “There’s talk that we’ll have more back-to-back races next year, and if we could have two in New Zealand, that would be pretty cool.
“Track-wise, the Wellington street race was pretty iconic for New Zealand. It would be nice to see a street race, but there are a lot of factors that need to be involved. It needs to be a big enough town to host it, but I wouldn’t see the other race being in Auckland.”
McLaughlin has also joined the call for there to be back-to-back New Zealand rounds and also suggested that the other event could be a street race.
“It’s a lot to come over here and race for just one weekend,” McLaughlin said.
“I don’t think it would be unfair to have another New Zealand race, and the crowd support would be massive for it.
“It would seriously be good for V8 Supercars and their fan base in New Zealand. “There are so many good tracks and it would be great for New Zealand motorsport because it’s in a hard space at the moment.
“You’d want another street track or something like that I reckon.
“You’d have Pukekohe, which is open and flowing and then somewhere where it’s tight and twisty with walls everywhere would be good for the sport.”
It’s not just the New Zealand drivers who think it would be a good idea, either. Todd Kelly, who drives for Nissan, likes the idea, too.
“It would certainly be a lot more cost effective and it’s not a hassle at all,” the Australian said. “The cost of international races is a big thing and I’d have no issue at all staying in New Zealand and knocking two rounds over in one hit. That makes perfect sense commercially.”
Ford Performance Racing’s Mark Winterbottom said if there was to be a second race in New Zealand, the South Island should be considered. “It would be nice to have two rounds here. There are some good tracks in the South Island now, like Highlands Park,” he said. “If we were to get two in New Zealand that would be pretty cool.”
But while there’s support from drivers to add another New Zealand race to the calendar, there are a number of hurdles to get over. Most importantly, there isn’t another track in New Zealand currently up to the required standards and V8 Supercars bosses are reluctant to have more than 16 rounds each year. There are 15 this season but they are looking to have two races added in America next year. The sport’s governing body, the FIA, currently only allows there to be one V8 Supercars race in New Zealand each year – something that would need to be sorted out.
A second round (at Highland Park) would be a brilliant idea. Then some of us South Islanders could go watch some serious racing! Hope FIA will agree to the idea.
If they spent some money at Hampton downs that would be good being such a short distance and easy to pack up and get the cars out of Auckland. I would think Taupo would have to do very little to their track.
I think Highlands would be good for the South Islanders to get a chance to watch them, but I don’t really mind where it is. I get the Pukekohe round right in my back door, so I think other people should also get that chance. Considering there are three Kiwis, there should be more rounds here.