A consortium from Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (Ateed) spent the day at the V8 Supercars yesterday as they consider the viability of a race in the Auckland region next year - almost certainly at Pukekohe.
"It's important to come and eyeball the event," said Ateed event feasibility manager Virginia Terpstra. She was impressed by the scale and logistics of the event and her team also lauded the "human face" of the ITM 400 in Hamilton, praising the event staff and volunteers.
Terpstra said her team has checked Pukekohe, Hampton Downs and Whenuapai as part of the overall process.
It was believed that other members of Ateed would be attending today, to be hosted in the box of V8 Supercars chairman Tony Cochrane, but a spokesperson said none of the Ateed team would be on site today.
Meanwhile, Pukekohe remains the favourite to host the race if it goes ahead next year.
Reports have suggested the Government is considering investing $1.5m to help upgrade the Pukekohe track, although other funds would have to be raised - probably from Ateed or the Auckland City Council and Pukekohe track owners, the Franklin Racing Club, as well as from V8 Supercars themselves.