Supercars exploring alternative future NZ venues

Supercars CEO Shane Howard says the category is exploring alternative New Zealand venues amid Pukekohe’s closure.

It was announced Wednesday that the circuit will no longer be used for motorsport from April 2023.

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

Supercars first raced at Pukekohe in 2001, with local hero Greg Murphy winning all three races.

The popular circuit hosted Supercars between 2001 and 2007 before the NZ event shifted to Hamilton.

Supercars returned to an upgraded Pukekohe in 2013, and hosted racing until 2019.

Pukekohe first hosted Supercars in 2001

Pukekohe will return this year after missing out due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021.

However, the 2022 round will double as Pukekohe’s Supercars farewell.

Pukekohe isn’t the first New Zealand circuit Australian touring cars have raced at.

Supercars had announced in 2020 that Hampton Downs would host the championship.

The Hamilton streets hosted Supercars’ annual round between 2008 and 2012.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Wellington hosted a street race enduro. Its final running of the race in 1996 was a non-championship Australian Touring Car Championship sprint event.

"Supercars has been informed by Auckland Racing Club that from April 2023, the circuit will no longer be used for Motorsport,” Howard said.

"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.

"While 2022 will mark our final weekend of racing at Pukekohe, we appreciate that through our time racing at the circuit, we have forged great partnerships with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, long-time naming rights partner of the event ITM and amazing support from our loyal Kiwi fans.

"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.”

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.