18 May 2005

V8s AT WHENUAPAI

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey has reacted enthusiastically to news the government was investigating hosting the V8 Supercar race at Whenuapai Airbase.

Mayor Harvey says that some five years ago the Council was approached by local entrepreneurs Pete Sinton and Frank Radisich and together they put a joint proposal to the race owners (Avesco) for the event to be held at the base.

“The (base) commander at the time got permission for it to happen, and the organisers loved the idea, but in the end they decided to go back to Pukekohe, a tried and true venue,” he says.

“This council fully supported Auckland’s bid but now with them and Wellington both rejecting the idea it seems things have come full circle.”

Mayor Harvey says the prospect of the race being held at Whenuapai is exciting not only because of the tourism benefits to the country, but also the economic benefits to the Auckland region.

“Of course there will be issues such as roading and traffic to deal with and as I understand it government officials will be reporting back to the Minister of Defence Mark Burton on those - but we’ll go into this with a ‘can-do’ attitude.”

“We look forward to seeing the details of the proposal and hopefully working with the organisers on delivering this major international event.”

ENDS

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