Changes at Pukekohe

[Mort]

(Not sure where to put this so I put it here in the trackday forum)


Looks like its a done deal at for the V8 supercars at Pukekohe (http://www.v8.co.nz/news-3900/v8-supercars-to-return-to-pukekohe)

Changes to the track include :

• New safety barriers and debris fencing


• Resurfacing of much of the track


• A new chicane on the back straight


• Additional overhead pedestrian bridges


• Over-track signage


• Enhanced viewing areas


• A general upgrade of the venue’s overall presentation


None of which looks very exciting for bikers... Of course the knock on effect is Hampton Downs wont be getting funding to finish the job they started a few years ago. In fact it sounds like (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/motorsport/news/article.cfm?c_id=66&objectid=10817710) they were excluded from consideration completely (presumably on the grounds that Auckland is unlikely to fund a project in Waikato.

Anyway, any improvement at Pukekohe is a good thing I guess ...

[Kickaha]

A new chicane on the back straight isn't an improvement

[Kiwi Graham]

What about pit garages, increase power outlets, decent toilets, upgraded PA, improved drainage??? there's heaps more I would do before putting in a chicane!

[Bender]

What about some spectator facilities like some bogs, food/cafe areas. traffic access, seating etc.

They keep forgetting who pays for the fucking tickets - same as what fucked Hamilton, where the viewing and sightlines were crap so people didn't go back.

These people just don't get it.

[FJRider]

They keep forgetting who pays for the fucking tickets - same as what fucked Hamilton, where the viewing and sightlines were crap so people didn't go back.

These people just don't get it.

THEY get 2 million $$$$$$ .... just to show up ... if their conditions are met. Numbers through the gate wont be that big a deal ... to them.

[p.dath]

I'm thinking that means a lot of tack closure time coming up. Yay, more ART days at Hampton Downs!

[BAD DAD]

What is it with chicanes anyway? Why pay hard earned cash to watch high-powered vehicles slow down just when they are reaching some decent speeds?

[sil3nt]

This money should have been offered to HD to finish their full track.

Chicane on the back straight at pukekohe is just plain stupid.

[schrodingers cat]

Fuck the Aussie V8's I say.
Their deal for Hamilton was that all of their freight and accomodation was paid for. Is it any wonder the teams used to parrot 'we just love coming to your lil ole country (to the sound of cash registers ringing

There was talk that the pit garages etc from Hamilton were to be relocated to Puke, which would be nice

The trouble is, the Aussie show isn't even that good. The local V8Supertourer racing is easily better - they just need those additional cars on the grid.
THe Aussies roll into town, hoover up the local money and disappear again

I bet you'd find that there have been a lot of underhand deals done to get this to happen

[FJRider]

What is it with chicanes anyway? Why pay hard earned cash to watch high-powered vehicles slow down just when they are reaching some decent speeds?

.... Speed kills ... right ... ???? :innocent:



.... or have I got it wrong ... again ... :blink:

[cmoore]

i am again surprised HD has been overlooked, can anyone explain why?......but if we are going to spend some money at Puki then all good, it needs an upgrade...everyone will benifit from better pits and other facilities...just wish the run off areas could be sorted so the "bags": don't have to go out before each race day.

[FJRider]

i am again surprised HD has been overlooked, can anyone explain why?.......

Perhaps "Super City" officialdom have no influence on events there. And the people that make (lots of) money at Puki' do have influence ...

[p.dath]

i am again surprised HD has been overlooked, can anyone explain why?......but if we are going to spend some money at Puki then all good, it needs an upgrade...everyone will benifit from better pits and other facilities...just wish the run off areas could be sorted so the "bags": don't have to go out before each race day.

If I was the organiser, I would be asking how would I get 100k people there, where they would stay, and where would they stand/sit.

HD has a small cark park. There is no rail to get people in and out. From the express way there is a small road into and out of the facility. And there is very little places for a large number of spectators to stand and watch. And then a lot of the people will be having to stay a good 30 to 60 minutes away.

So great track - but poor to get a lot of people in and out of, and to accomodate them.

[Mental Trousers]

The Politics of NZ car racing is truely appalling. Hampton Downs isn't part of the boys club that is Motorsport New Zealand so will never get the Aussie V8's. The politics of it all is why we currently have the BNT New Zealand V8's and the rebel V8 Super Tourer Series.

Hampton Downs will never get the official NZ V8's series without lots of tongue up arse

Thankfully we don't have the bullshit and in-fighting that the car racers do (I'm not kidding).