Motorsport: V8 SuperTourers snub Manfeild

It would appear no New Zealand V8 series isn't without a bit of contention somewhere along the line.

The MotorSport New Zealand sanctioned NZV8 championship has taken a bit of a pounding this year both on and off the court, as they say. The new kids on the block, V8 SuperTourers, have stolen a march on the national championship with a full driver field and some good racing.

However, that's not to say that by the time the national motorsport season gets under way in January 2013 there won't also be good field of NZV8 cars.

Anyway, back to the V8ST. The category has just released its 2013 calendar and to our mind there appears to be a glaring omission. The Manfeild race circuit, just outside Feilding, does not appear on the roster for next year, after coming on board for the fledgling series in April this year.

The race was the final round of the sprint series and by all reports attracted a considerable crowd.

Manfeild Park Trust chief executive Heather Verry is a bit miffed, as you can image, especially after being told there was, "A firm expectation of maintaining a round on March 16-17. V8ST managing director Mark Petch had been in discussion with Manfeild Park and had specified that date.

"It was a surprise that the circuit was not featured and disappointing that Manfeild had not been given advance notice of the latest schedule.

"We had been able to meet this request after considerable re-organisation of our busy track schedule, however we felt it was important to do so.

"We had not heard from V8ST about the provisional calendar prior to it coming out at 7pm on Friday. This is disappointing and perplexing.

"Manfeild Park Trust would now hope to have a formal discussion with V8ST to clarify this matter. We take note that what has been posted is cited as being only provisional."

Again, there is an impression the left hand has absolutely no idea what the right hand is doing, but it's early days yet and hopefully Manfeild and V8ST will be able to sort something out.

"The calendar is still provisional so I don't have too much more to say," said V8ST CEO Didier Debae.

"There's still a lot of talking going on and until we have the calendar completely defined there's not much more to say about it.

"I can understand that Manfeild is a little put out, but again I can only mention everything is provisional."

It's not drawing a long bow to suggest a number of drivers will be a little concerned Manfeild has yet to make it onto the 2013 calendar, as it's a popular driver's circuit and a home track to a few as well.