(PR.co.nz) Australian and international motorsport leader, V8 Supercars Australia, is to run Hamilton’s ITM400 from next year.
The deal, announced today, sees V8SC take over from current promoter Caleta Streetrace Management (CSM). CSM has stepped aside from their role as promoter as they are no longer in a financial position to run and grow the event.
V8 Supercars Australia already runs eight of the 15 rounds of the highly successful V8 Supercars Championship including in Sydney, Gold Coast, and Townsville. Hamilton becomes the 9th city in this impressive line up.
The deal is a further coup for Hamilton, entering a partnership with an event organiser of such calibre, and guaranteeing the only New Zealand leg of the series in the city for at least a further four years with a new three-year extension.
Council will continue to sponsor the event and will share in its financial success but with no exposure to trading losses. V8SC have a proven track record of promoting successful and profitable streetrace events.
A number of new features to broaden the appeal of the event from 2011 include the unique “rock and race” format which will see concerts held in Seddon Park and Waikato Stadium. Other new initiatives include exploring moving the event from April to early November from 2012, and substantially increasing the spend promoting the ITM400 in New Zealand and Australia.
Hamilton has successfully hosted the V8s for three years after winning hosting rights in 2006.
It is the largest single sporting event in New Zealand, and despite the recent economic downturn, still attracted just over 100,000 people through the gates over three days last month.
Hamilton mayor Bob Simcock welcomed the new partnership.
“The city has already shown it is capable of staging the V8s, which is no mean feat, and having V8 Supercars now running the event means it is well positioned to go from strength to strength. “
V8 Supercars Australia COO Shane Howard will lead the events team and will use Hamilton-based staff and local contractors.
“It is with great pride that we bring our expertise to the table to work in partnership with Hamilton City Council. We are putting together the best possible team to reinvigorate the event and continue Hamilton’s proud tradition of hosting the event.”
Former ITM400 promoters Dean Calvert and Steve Vuleta gave their support to the new management structure to ensure the continued success of what they said was an iconic Hamilton event.
“We thank past supporters and encourage all suppliers, sponsors and attendees to get in behind the new management team.”
Mr Calvert and Mr Vuleta are assisting with the transition of intellectual property and knowledge to V8SC and completing the 2010 circuit dismantling before formally concluding their association with the event.
V8SC is moving quickly to secure key local staff, suppliers and contractors, and planning is already well underway next year’s ITM400 around a street circuit in Frankton.
Mayor Simcock acknowledged and thanked CSM for the work done to establish the event in Hamilton over the last three years.
Media Release 6 May 2010 from Hamilton City Council.
Contact: Bob Simcock, Hamilton Mayor, (07) 838 6976 or 021 991 071
Contact: Monica Holt (07) 838 6434 or 021 815 604