Four-time V8 Supercar champion Jamie Whincup has given his backing to Pukekohe Park Raceway after running the first laps in anger at the revamped circuit.

Whincup drove the Red Bull Racing Holden for 25 laps a race speed today, with rides for fans and media ahead of the ITM 400 Auckland V8 Supercars Championship event at Pukekohe on 12-14 April.

Yesterday Whincup drove Auckland Mayor Len Brown around the city in his race car, creating plenty of interest as they drove down Queen Street to the Viaduct to signal the return of the V8 supercars Championship to Auckland.

The current V8 Supercars Champion believes there is some of the old and some of the new wrapped up in the revamped circuit.

“I think it is fantastic,” Whincup said. “I have had a bit of fun today and got 20 odd laps around here. It brings back some memories. It still has the character it had when we raced here back in the early 2000s.

“The new stuff has spiced it up. It is much cleaner and much safer now for the drivers and that is the most important thing. I can’t wait for it to clean up and put new tyres on it for qualifying.”

Whincup joked that he has one-up on his rivals as the first driver to complete laps at race speed on the track.

“There has to be some rewards for coming over. I am unsure what the others are doing, perhaps chilling out on the beach or trying to make their cars go faster but I am over here promoting the race and as a side-effect I get to have a few laps here.

“I hope it will help a bit for the race here and I can’t wait to come back in 18 days.”

The $6.6m project includes improving and replacing safety barriers, debris fencing and curbing, some resurfacing, major alterations to the pit area, new pit garages, control buildings and addition of three new corners on the back straight.

Whincup now fixes his sights on the V8 Supercar Championship in Tasmania next weekend ahead of the sole New Zealand round.

Tickets are on sale from Ticketek for the V8 Supercars ITM 400 Auckland at Pukekohe Park Raceway on 12-14 April for as little as NZ$30 plus fees, with three-day general admission for NZ$110 and new improved three-day grandstand tickets from NZ$145. Kids 12 and under receive free GA entry into the event with a paying adult. Travel on event buses and trains is included in your pre-purchased V8 Supercars ITM 400 Auckland ticket.