Partnership with RSA for ITM500 Auckland at Pukekohe
The ITM 500 Auckland V8 Supercars, the biggest annual trans-Tasman sporting event, has today announced the RSA as its official charity.
The 2014 event, the 14th time that New Zealand has hosted a round of Australasia’s biggest motorsport category, will be staged over ANZAC weekend, April 24 to 27, at Pukekohe Park Raceway.
V8 Supercars made a successful return to Pukekohe last year with 117,167 patrons attending across the three days while the independent consultants Covec reported a regional impact of $7.5 million into the economy including over 36,000 visitor nights.
The RSA was formed in New Zealand in 1916 by returning Anzacs to provide support and comfort for service men and women and their families.
With the Anzac weekend the greatest bond between the two nations, V8 Supercars believes the RSA is the perfect beneficiary to help raise funds for their commitment to returned servicemen and the community.
“The bond between Australian and New Zealand is unquestioned and forged over decades of camaraderie and friendship as nations,” said V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton.
“It is an honour to stage this event on Anzac weekend, which holds enormous significance on both sides of the Tasman. With ATEED, our event partners and the RSA we will ensure the legend of the Anzac is respected and remembered.”
The RSA and V8 Supercars have been working closely on a number of initiatives for the event.
These will include the sale of poppies at the event, with the annual Poppy Appeal the primary source of funds for the RSA’s extensive provision of support services to war veterans and the ex-service community.
There will be some key RSA activities that will be supported by V8 Supercars drivers including a special fundraising ‘Meet the Drivers’ event on Wednesday 23 April at Pukekohe RSA, the Dawn Service at the Pukekohe War Memorial and a Civic Service, also at Pukekohe at 10am.
All RSA members and current servicemen and women across all armed forces will receive free trackside entry to the event on Anzac Day, while there are a series of fundraising activities including limited edition merchandise and a framed poster signed by the entire field of V8 Supercars Championship drivers.
“We are indebted to the RSA for their support of our event and we want to partner with them to assist with their invaluable charitable programmes,” Warburton said.
RSA Chief Executive David Moger considers the joint initiatives to be a way of promoting the Anzac spirit that is at the RSA’s heart.
“We are excited and thankful to be chosen as the V8 Supercars’ charity of choice,” Moger explained.
“Not only does our partnership allow the RSA to further our crucial support work in the veteran and ex-service communities through the generous donations of those that attend, but it’s also an event in the great Anzac tradition of Aussies and Kiwis standing shoulder to shoulder; drivers, crew and spectators, commemorating and celebrating Anzac weekend together.”
Motorsport fans will be able to experience support category action on Thursday 24 April, before an afternoon start on Anzac Day with V8 Supercars race action including the first 100km race. There will be two further 100km races on Saturday and one 200km race on Sunday.
Grandstand tickets for the extended race programme range from NZ$172 for unreserved seating for four days to NZ$232 for Gold Grandstand covered seating (with amenities and V8 Supercars Paddock Access).
New Zealand will be the fourth stop on the 2014 V8 Supercars Championship calendar following the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, Tyrepower Tasmania 400 and Winton 400.
