Pitstop: Kinky track not to everyone's liking

Pukekohe is set to go kinky and not all the racing drivers are happy about the prospect.

Safety improvements to the track envisage a kink in the circuit about 100m past the entry to the pits. It is designed to slow cars down in an area where there was a fatal accident a couple of years ago.

Competitors will lose speed before racing over the hill on to the front straight, where last April a Porsche mounted a catch fence and a V8 Supercar slammed into safety barriers, injuring a press photographer. Critics, including star driver Greg Murphy, say the kink will destroy one of the most challenging features of the circuit, relished by the leading competitors because it provides a challenge that offers a reward for skill and commitment.

Motorsport's circuit and safety commission has worked closely with track users to improve safety. Motorcycling New Zealand is happy with the kink because it has suspended licences for two-wheeled meetings on the track since another realignment of metal safety barriers was deemed unsuitable for bikes.

Chief executive Paul Pavletich says the kink will remedy that problem by lowering speeds. Pukekohe Park manager Greg Mitchell says the kink will take six days to build and the only window of opportunity is at Christmas-New Year. The first round of the national V8 championship in November will be on the old layout.

Brock's spirit lives on

The spirit of Peter Brock will live on during the week-long Targa starting in Auckland on Labour Monday and finishing in Hastings. Australian Rob Sherrard will drive a Holden Monaro V8, the car Brock drove to outright victory at the 2003 Bathurst 24-hour race.

Reid to drive Black Beauty

New Zealand driver Jonny Reid is looking to make the most of a rare opportunity to drive in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport this weekend.

Reid will be behind the wheel of Black Beauty during the second round in the Czech Republic - his first competitive A1GP drive for more than 11 months.

The 22-year-old drove in two of the four opening rounds in the inaugural season, but couldn't budge Matt Halliday for any of the remaining seven rounds.

Marcos Ambrose steps up

The career of Australian motorsport ace Marcos Ambrose in the US has taken another step with the former V8 Supercar champion confirmed as a full-time Nascar Busch driver in 2007.

Kiwi's lead cut to three

New Zealand driver Chris van der Drift has seen his lead in the Eurocup Formula Renault series cut to three points after a series of misfortunes at the latest round in France.