Supercars CEO Shane Howard insists that a return to New Zealand for the series is on the cards should they receive the financial backing required for running such an event.
“We’ll never give up on going back to New Zealand,” he told Australian media last night. “It’s very important to us. We have a really strong fan base there and we want to be back in New Zealand.”
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited have assisted with funding events in past, but with Pukekohe Park Raceway closing they will no longer be able to do so. This is due to the fact that touted venues Taupo or Hampton Downs fall outside their jurisdiction.
“There’s a couple of challenges there. Not having a circuit inside the Auckland shire, now with Pukekohe gone, determines that we need to apply to Major Events New Zealand, it’s not through Auckland Unlimited. They’ve been very supportive, very good to deal with and have driven good results there, but the applications now go through Major Events.
“That process is quite long, their process is extensive. There is certainly an appetite there.”
He does admit, however, that time is running out to get such support.
“We would like to be [there next year] but we need a decision from the government as quickly as possible,” said Howard.
“If we can get that decision out of government, in line with our calendar development, we’ll be going to New Zealand. We really need something by the end of May.”
The Newcastle 500 is another event under pressure following the conclusion of their contract after this year’s event. The City of Newcastle have launched a consultation process with local stakeholder, including members of the community, to determine whether that event will return.
“We want to be back in Newcastle,” Howard said. “A great event for the championship and all our stakeholders, so we want to be back there.
“It’s a tripartite decision. The [NSW] state government, Supercars and the city need to be aligned and, of course, it has to provide return on investment for all parties.
“It delivers significant economic benefit for the state and the city. We truly value it. We would like to be in a position by end of May to know where we are with that with that decision.”
All will be revealed when Supercars releases their 2024 calendar, expected to be before this year’s Bathurst 1000 in October.
“We’d like get the calendar out much sooner,” Howard said. “By the end of May, we’d really like to know the venues that we have available to us. And then by the end of June, you’re making a decision.
“We’re looking at returning to our traditional timeframe of announcing the next year’s calendar at Sandown (in mid-September) or by the Bathurst 1000 at the latest.”
Taupo motorsports park please.