Pukekohe to cease motorsport activities

Pukekohe Park has announced it will cease motorsport activities in 2023.

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) confirmed Wednesday plans to further develop the site for the Club’s own purposes.

No motorsport events will take place Pukekohe after April 2, 2023.

The upcoming ITM Auckland SuperSprint, on September 9-11, will be the final Supercars round at Pukekohe.

The venue is owned by Counties Racing Club Inc.

Pukekoke Park Raceway is situated around a horse racing precinct.

In a statement, the ATR said it will turn its focus to "ATR’s thoroughbred racing activities".

"We can appreciate today’s announcement will be big news for many," ATR chief executive officer Paul Wilcox.

"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.

"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.

"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 made its international debut at Pukekohe in 2001.

It hosted events between 2001 and 2007 before the annual New Zealand event was shifted to Hamilton.

Upgrades to the Pukekohe circuit preceded Supercars’ return in 2013.

Pukekohe last hosted Supercars in 2019

Managing director of Pukekohe Motorsport Gary Stirling added: "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.

"In recent years my team has worked hard to rejuvenate the motorsport facility and bring the sport at Pukekohe back to its former glory.

"I have enjoyed my time at Pukekohe and would like to thank all those who have attended over the years and been part of its motorsport history.

"The next nine months will be busy for us and I am sure we can all add to the history prior to the last chequered flag."

Purchase your tickets to the final Pukekohe round here.

The 2022 season will resume at the OTR SuperSprint on July 30-31. Purchase your tickets now.