Pukekohe track under threat !!!!

**Bob** · 4th June 2005, 04:06

Well a month has gone by since this was put foward into everyone's awareness.

So... has anyone taken things futher?

Has anyone contacted any other motoring organisations?

Has anything actually happened?

And before anyone says "Why don't you do something", I've come up with a petition site that can be used for free to put up a public petition (and if someone does, I will willingly sign it), I've come up with a suggested text to go with the petition/letters to your local politician - which, not being a local and not knowing the whole story, will need tweaking and fine tuning by someone 'over there'.

Everyone has shown a LOT of anger and wants something done... so who is going to actually DO something about it then?

I've come up with as much as I think I can do to assist from 24,000 miles away or whatever it is... and I'd love to see someone take it on and take the battle to the authorities.

If you don't fight for the track, it is going to be lost!

**FROSTY:Me** · 4th June 2005, 09:58

I guess I need to follow up on this.
I've been talking to a few people much more in the know than I am.
The time /chance to "do something" about Pukekohe came and went about a year ago.
Is the place secure for us as a future venue? No
Something I diddn't know untill recently is that there are 2 possible alternative venues being explored by the various motor racing bodys.
Both have huge advantages over Pukie.
Both will developed as MOTOR sport venues exclusively.
The most publicly discussed option is of course Hampton downs.
Money is beeing spent there so I feel it is worthy of our support.
With the Improvements in SH1 and the clear indication that it could be used to host more than one event at the same time it looks pretty darn good to me.
They as I understand it do not yet have resourse consent (the broken ground was the prison) so I think its a matter of picking our fights and getting HD happening before some tree hugger decides it might offend the delicate ears of a native spawning toadstool.
If Hampton downs crumbles -(and Im doing the little bit I can to make it go ahead) There is an alternative venue.
In my opinion it is better located in about 1000 different ways and it is already designated as a motor sport venue by the local council.
Heres the catch -and its a biggie.
The guys behind Hampton downs have secured the 80 odd MILLION dollars to propperly develop a track.
If every motor sport club in NZ got together and invested 100% in a new track I'd suggest they can raise aprox 4.5million -still a long way short of the money needed.
Yep there are ways around it.
Plan waaay ahead. Build a drag strip and MX track first to raise revenue.Run a club circuit off of the drag strip next, doubling up as the return road for the drag strip. If all profits were plowed back under and a plan was followed it is conceivable that in 10 years we could have a track or two in auckland.
From my prospective its a matter of picking the battle i want to fight. A new track or B keep old track going. -bit of a no brainer innit.

**Bob** · 4th June 2005, 23:17

Thanks for coming back with that. By the sound of things, losing the current multi-purpose circuit and getting two new motorsport circuits will be the better deal.

Meanwhile, the battle to save Castle Combe circuit over here in the UK continues... thanks for all who signed the petition. I've also had a bit of success in that I was able to get one of our major lobbying groups to put up a report on it in the sports section of their website, along with a link to the online petition.

In the case of Puke, the future was long decided from what you say, but hopefully, we can save Castle Combe over here.

**skeeter** · 16th August 2005, 21:40

Pukekohe has always been dangerous for bikers - too fast, too narrow, and too little run off. Taupo is underway.

**bugjuice** · 17th August 2005, 09:34

Originally Posted by skeeter

Pukekohe has always been dangerous for bikers - too fast, too narrow, and too little run off. Taupo is underway.

Taupo is miles and miles away, and no good for times like this weekend when we can have a blast locally, instead of making the whole weekend of it.. But, saying that, Hampton Downs is meant to be under way soon, is it not..? Is Puke still under threat?

It's not the best track, but it's not a bad track.. and the only one in the upper north island too.. just have to know it better..

welcome btw

**cowpoos** · 28th October 2005, 13:28

www.hamptondowns.com

Whats happening at taupo frosty...how far along are they with the plans do you know....or anyone know?

**Cleve** · 28th October 2005, 19:44

Gone through the site and looked at the track layout and my lips are licking and cannot wait to get out and around Hampton Park.
Yeeeehaaaa
Hope it all works out...

**Fluffy Cat** · 28th October 2005, 20:40

So they are building it?????

**Ivan** · 28th October 2005, 20:49

Hopefully by then I will be on a 250GP bike and that track is gonna rule, how fast you think you will hit I reckon something around the 330 mark like the world superbike guys

**What?** · 29th October 2005, 19:06

Originally Posted by Fluffy Cat

So they are building it?????

You asking about Hampton Downs or taupo?
The answer is "yes" either way.

**Fluffy Cat** · 29th October 2005, 20:36

Yeah i knew about Taupo but its great to hear about HD.
I really think Puke is dangerous and past its prime,shame but true.
Cant wait to race on a proper track.....

**"D" FZ1** · 18th March 2006, 08:47

I have grown up going to motor racing at Pukie and it would suck if they closed it

**SN4PD** · 13th November 2006, 08:10

Just had a look at http://www.hamptondowns.com/Track.wse fuck it looks awesome, and on our back door step.

They say that the RMA hearing has just happened and that the council will make their decision in the next month or so. Lets hope for a positive outcome.

**Drunken Monkey** · 13th November 2006, 08:44

"November 2006

The final day of the Resource Management hearing was held on the 8/11/06.The Council decision is expected at the earliest by the end of November 2006. The hearing went very well with agreement between the parties on many out standing issues."

**SN4PD** · 13th November 2006, 08:46

Originally Posted by Drunken Monkey

"November 2006

The final day of the Resource Management hearing was held on the 8/11/06.The Council decision is expected at the earliest by the end of November 2006. The hearing went very well with agreement between the parties on many out standing issues."

Thats what I said

Be interesting to get a copy of the RMA proceedings.