Bob Pearce: Good news for motorsport fans, but what about the long term?

Having the V8 Supercars back at Pukekohe for the next two years is good news for motorsport fans. Even better news would be confirmation of another venue for the following seven years.

Despite all the hype about the Pukekohe round three months ago being the finale at the Counties Racing Club track, those with any knowledge of motorsport realised that a return was not only possible but very likely.

Aussie Supercar boss Tony Cochrane was reluctant to concede that point and the concerns of some factions in the Auckland and Counties Racing Clubs had to be allayed, but when Capital Street Management lost their bid to stage a Wellington street race, it was Pukekohe or nowhere.

The trick for Dean Calvert, Steve Vuleta and Colin Giltrap of CSM is to find an alternative by the deadline of June 30, 2007.

Cochrane, with memories of the bitter battle over an Auckland street race and the disappointments in Wellington, says the search begins with no recriminations. But he ruled out the Ruapuna circuit in Christchurch, because it is not a freight hub for the big 747s, which will bring the cars. The bill for air freight to Auckland is likely to be around $1 million and that is cheaper because of backloaded freight.

Calvert, formerly general manager of IMG, the previous Pukekohe promoter, is a realist. Any venue chosen must be an economic proposition. And that requires corporate dollars from either Wellington or Auckland.

He says the Wellington street race proposal is "shelved" rather than abandoned. The Manfeild track near Feilding is the only permanent circuit in the area.

If everything went to plan, there could be a permanent circuit available at Hampton Downs, near Meremere, by 2007 and Whenuapai remains an option if the Government stops dithering.

But Calvert has his eye on a street race in the Auckland area, but not the central city - largely because street races provide the easiest way to garner the corporate dollars. Wherever is chosen must be available for seven years, the duration of the next contract.

In the meantime, fans should celebrate the return to Pukekohe. Local motorsport benefits from the live television generated by the Supercars and the finale of the national championships. The track will remain in use after the Supercars have moved on.

Around 90,000 fans showed up for this year's racing when local hero Greg Murphy again showed the Aussies his tailpipes. Long may it continue.

* Bob Pearce is the Herald's motorsport correspondent.