Auckland V8 race

**svs** · 3rd August 2004, 10:40

With all this news about whether IMG will get permission to close the streets in auckland, eg. here (stuff.co.nz), what happens if permission is denied?

Will IMG head back to Manfeild? Will the race get canned? Will they wait for the new Meremere circuit (if that goes ahead)?

Personally, I'd like to see the race down Manfeild - the circuit could do with the extra cash and it would help out motorsport in general, rather than a one off street special.

I haven't heard of what the alternative are. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places, but if anyone knows what would happen next, then please enlighten me.

**sAsLEX** · 3rd August 2004, 10:52

with all this debarcle over resource consent it made me wonder wether the coulored people went through this process of resource consents to close the motorway so they could bus to the bridge then walk over it!

**Motu** · 3rd August 2004, 12:29

North Shore wankers - we don't need them and their trendy ways,they can just stay over there and leave the city to those that know what to do with it.Who cares about the stupid friggen bridge anyway - you get to Wellsford on SH16...what more do we need.

**Hitcher** · 3rd August 2004, 12:42

So what's the problem? Why don't they just run the V8 touring cars amongst normal Auckland weekend traffic? The first one to complete 50 laps wins! A bit of on-coming traffic, illegal lane changing, pensioners on pedestrian crossings, failure to indicate, etc should liven things up a treat. Or maybe those softcock V8 boys can't cope with all that?

**Ghost Lemur** · 3rd August 2004, 13:11

I miss the Wellington street race.

**Drunken Monkey** · 3rd August 2004, 14:15

Originally Posted by Motu

North Shore wankers - we don't need them and their trendy ways,they can just stay over there and leave the city to those that know what to do with it.Who cares about the stupid friggen bridge anyway - you get to Wellsford on SH16...what more do we need.

For once, Motu, we agree on something...

**750Y** · 3rd August 2004, 14:47

Originally Posted by sAsLEX

with all this debarcle over resource consent it made me wonder wether the coulored people went through this process of resource consents to close the motorway so they could bus to the bridge then walk over it!

hi SAslex, this is me not going there 8-)

**Milky** · 3rd August 2004, 15:13

I think an Akl street race is a great idea, but why there? why ahvent other options been put foward? it seems a bit strange to me

**svs** · 3rd August 2004, 16:18

Why didn't they figure out the resource consent stuff earlier? I never saw the wellington street races (wasn't in NZ then) and I don't think I'd go up to auckalnd either. Never be able to get through all that traffic

**Hitcher** · 3rd August 2004, 16:38

What's all you guys' problems with resource consents?

Surely people whose life, liberty and pursuit of happiness are potentially affected by this event should be listened to? As outlined by the promoters, this is an incredibly disruptive event, the effects of which need to be satisfactorily mitigated, and if they can't, request denied. That's what the resource consent process is all about. Democracy at work. End of story.

**vifferman** · 3rd August 2004, 16:42

Originally Posted by Hitcher

As outlined by the promoters, this is an incredibly disruptive event, the effects of which need to be satisfactorily mitigated, and if they can't, request denied.

Indeed. And it sucks that the pro-race faction have used bogus financial stats to push the merits of the race going ahead. I bet it turns out to be not just a huge nuisance, but also a drain on the taxpayers.

Hitcher, your idea of making them race in normal traffic is brilliant.

**Marknz** · 3rd August 2004, 16:52

Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur

I miss the Wellington street race.

I'm with you GL, it was fantastic racing and made for a great weekend in the Capital.

Personally I wouldn't go to Akld to watch V8 racing... after having lived there from 85 to 94 and seeing it become more and more gridlocked every year, the only reason I go to Akld is if I need to get an international flight out of the country. I'd be more inclined to head over the Tasman to watch V8's at the Creek or the Island.

Manfield as an option? I don't know. True Aussie V8 teams would take one look at that boghole and tell you that it'd need millions of dollars spent on it to get it up to a par with even the worst track in Aussie, and that's not even taking into account the millions that would need to be spent on the pit and stand facilities. And if you think truck racing and drifters feck up the surface for us bike racers, wait till you see what three days Supercar practises and races does to it.

**Coldkiwi** · 3rd August 2004, 18:01

gridlocked? whats gridlocked? we own bikes for goodness sakes! I'd love to see the race go ahead (I live in pakuranga) because even tho I work in town, it'll still only be the same traffic lights I stop for!

Sound pretty dodgy tho when IMG haven't even considered event traffic in their planning (front of herald). I think Transit are doing the right thing by putting IMG and the council through the ringer to make sure it can be done right

**wkid_one** · 3rd August 2004, 18:12

Look at Welly - fucken retailers stuffed that up for everyone. We lose too much revenue as customers can't get around the city. Never mind the millions of dollars that the race brought in to the city as a whole (and the PR the City/Country) got. That was the best weekend. I remember going to the track after work on the Friday to watch the practice, trapsing in on the weekend to watch the races - perving at the screwdrivers in the pits

NZ seems to forget, whilst Motorsport remains a minority sport in NZ, it is one of the most watched sports world wide. The one that pisses me off the most is The Rally of NZ. It is NZ's single largest watched motorsport - yet we only got 30mins each night and a 2 hour slot on Sunday Motorsport - yet MILLIONS of people watch this from the UK, US etc.

We seem to have our priorities fucked up somewhere. We focus so much on the micro stuff - parking, transport, NZ only patronage and viewing - yet we lose sight of the fact that MILLIONS of people tune in to watch this stuff live from around the world.

We couldn't even work our shit out with the Rugby World Cup for the same reasons - and that is our 'prime' sport - you think we then have a chance with the V8 Race? you must be kidding.

To not run the race because people can't get around, can't park outside their favourite Cafe or have to take the long way to work for all of one week is stupid. Cities way bigger than Auckland cope - Surfers, Monaco, Melbourne - and even London is now getting a street race!!! Want gridlock go to fucken London!!!! What basis does Auckland have to argue if London is going to do an F1 event!