V8 Supercars 2023: Supercars officials look to fill Pukekohe Park void in calendar

Supercars officials will make the voyage across the Tasman to attempt to fill the void left by the closure of Pukekohe Park Raceway and create an annual Supercars pilgrimage.

Supercars officials will tour the first of two potential New Zealand circuits this week as the category seeks to fill the hole in its calendar left by Pukekohe Park Raceway’s closure late last year.

Members of the Supercars management team will cross the Tasman on Wednesday to meet with officials and government representatives as the championship considers adding Taupo International Motorsport Park to its annual racing calendar as soon as next year.

The trans-Tasman tour comes just weeks after reigning champion Shane van Gisbergen urged the sport’s brass to make a move back to New Zealand.

Now the tiny resort town of Taupo, located in the centre of New Zealand’s North Island and on the banks of Lake Taupo, looms as the site of an annual Supercars pilgrimage.

Taupo International Motorsport Park – formerly Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park – is an FIA Grade 3 track purchased by Scottish-born millionaire entrepreneur and racer, Tony Quinn, in late 2021.

Shane van Gisbergen celebrates at Pukekohe Park in 2022. Picture: Edge Photographics

Quinn also operates Highlands Park, Queensland Raceway and Hampton Downs – the latter of which is another option to host a New Zealand leg of the Supercars Championship.

“Currently, our focus is on finding a new racing location in New Zealand as we have progressed quite far into the process,” Supercars CEO Shane Howard said.

“Taupo and Hampton Downs are two potential circuits that could meet our requirements and we are currently assessing Taupo with a team on-site this week.

“Given that there is no circuit in the Auckland area, we have proposed the opportunity to Major Events New Zealand and they are currently in the process of evaluating our submission.

“Given its location in a regional area that can host major events, Taupo has been identified as a potential option and we are exploring this avenue.

“We have a huge fan base in New Zealand and want to get back there as soon as we can show off our Gen3 product and the best touring car category in the world.”