with hampton downs they could send all the spring hill inmates to bunk up with mt eden then rent it out for accomodation, friend who worked there reckons its 4star rated already
socram,
Feb 17, 5:26pm
Every circuit has to start somewhere!I'd never heard of Bathhurst until Imoved to NZ. I heard about Pukekohe when I was in my teens in the UK, because it featured the GP drivers of the day.Since I first raced there in 1985, the facilities haven't exactly improved, apart from a spectator bridge that blocks out the view and at long last, some metal in the paddock, a porta cabin toilet and a paddock office.Not much for 25 years.
At least HD are still adding to the infrastructure.
socram,
Feb 17, 5:26pm
Every circuit has to start somewhere!I'd never heard of Bathurst until Imoved to NZ. I heard about Pukekohe when I was in my teens in the UK, because it featured the GP drivers of the day.Since I first raced there in 1985, the facilities haven't exactly improved, apart from a spectator bridge that blocks out the view and at long last, some metal in the paddock, a porta cabin toilet and a paddock office.Not much for 25 years.
At least HD are still adding to the infrastructure.
fordcrzy,
Feb 17, 6:23pm
puke is the worst track in nz.its only still open because its down the road from auckland.ive never been to a v8 race at puke .total waste of time
easygoer,
Feb 17, 6:34pm
Can I suggest an organised effort to lobby John Key for financial support for Hampton Downs to encourage the V8's to race there and remain in NZ, if someone knows his email address we could bombard it,
socram,
Feb 17, 7:49pm
Great to race on though!Hitting top speed isn't possible at HD for me, nor at Manfeild and the new Taupo looks to be a bit of a Mickey Mouse track for my car, though I haven't driven it yet.Hitting my top speed of just over 120mph at Pukekohe and not hitting the brakes until 85m is still a thrill.Taking the 'mountain' flat out and Jennian at 100mph still gets the adrenalin going.
fordcrzy,
Feb 17, 8:15pm
i guess any track would be ok to drive on.puke is boring as hell to watch. after being to a heap of aussie tracks like oran park/wakefield/eastern creek/bathurstetc puke is just awful.
twink19,
Feb 17, 8:22pm
agreed Puke is worst track, Taupo and HD are brilliant
fordmfp,
Feb 17, 8:28pm
Manfield is a brilliant viewing track
socram,
Feb 17, 8:36pm
There are two sorts of viewing. To see what the racing is all about is one sort, and being armed with a camera is the other.Nowadays, there are no decent spots to take pics at Pukekohe nor is it good spectator viewing.Manfeild is good for spectator viewing, not so good for taking pics, ditto Taupo. Hampton Downs is mediocre for spectators but great for taking pics as the cars have "attitude".
skippy33,
Feb 18, 6:27am
the great peter brock loved racing at puke,greg murphy liked the track,in fact there wasent many that didnt like it,i have watched a shitload of races at puke as have 1000s of people and loved it,its only still open because people love racing there,and will do for years to come.
lookoutas,
Feb 18, 7:18am
You missed out then. Glad I didn't.
Bathurst ain't the greatest of on-track viewing either - can't even see "the dipper"
I paid to go to the first Hamilton race, and finished up watching from outside with a bunch of others who had tickets. Only go now coz we get complimentary tickets to the Toyota stand. And its a bloody good day there!
socram,
Feb 18, 7:38am
There isn't a street circuit anywhere that is a great spectator experience - though I'll reserve judgement until after the Monaco Historic GP later this year. Best TV race ever though, was the first Wellington Street race, but I am glad I never botheredgoing. One corner or one straight, behind catch fencing. Wow.
Goodwood Revival meeting is the best though.No catch fencing and you can walk around the whole track and spectate and take decent pics, even with a standard lens.But the car park is amazing with 1000s of pre 1966 cars in their own parking areas.But I digress.
rob_man,
Feb 18, 7:46am
Pukekohe used to be great to watch from the hill by Rothmans but that's gone now. Last time I was there (and it will be the last time) there was a dirty great stand plonked in the best spot and they'd built a bridge that effectively blocked the view of the home straight from Rothmans and the view of Rothmans from the main stands as well as another stand that isolated the hairpin at the end of the back straight. For someone with fond memories of Pukekohe in the 70s it was a complete letdown. Then there were the food and beverage Nazis at the gate.
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