Summer motor racing dates confirmed but no detail on NZ Grand Prix

Jackson Walls (AUS) leads the field in race two at Pukekohe pre-Covid
 

Dates and venues have now been confirmed for New Zealand's summer motor racing series, but there will be no premier open-wheeler racing in the South Island and most championships will operate within the six-round four-venue format. 

There is still no confirmation of a likely format for the premier championship or the New Zealand Grand Prix except that sources at Manfeild have confirmed the latter will not be held there - ending a 12 year association. 

This year's format also precludes a five week 'international' season for New Zealand's premier championship class, the Castrol Toyota Racing Series.

MotorSport New Zealand and its race championship promoter, Speedworks Events have now confirmed both dates and venues for the 2020-2021 summer motor racing series but have stopped short of confirming what form the CTRS will take or when and where the 2021 New Zealand Grand Prix will be held.

The Manfeild circuit in Manawatu has hosted the GP since 2008, but Manfeild CEO Kathy Gibson revealed in a newsletter column this month that the circuit would not host the event, which is ‘likely to go to an Auckland circuit’. The only permanent circuit in Auckland that is able to host the event is Pukekohe.

It will be the first time this century that the premier single seater and ‘tin-top’ championships do not include southern rounds, with post-Covid economic conditions cited as the reason by MotorSport New Zealand’s acting CEO Elton Goonan.

The series starts on October 31-November 1 at Hampton Downs, with a second pre-Christmas round at Pukekohe Park on December 5-6. The series returns to Hampton Downs on January 23-24 with a three week gap to round four at Manfeild on February 13 and 14. The two final rounds will run in March, the first at Pukekohe on March 6-7 and the final round at Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in Taupo on the 27-28th.

The Castrol Toyota Racing Series is still looking at all options for its 2021 season. Covid restrictions on international travel make it unlikely the championship will attract international racers, and Toyota New Zealand has announced a $500,000 boost for the New Zealand Kiwi Driver Fund, which helps support New Zealand drivers looking to contest the championship.

A North Island-only calendar for CTRS is expected to be confirmed by the end of October.

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