KEY POINTS:
After hosting an A1GP meeting for the World Cup of Motorsport, Taupo's next venture may be a world motorcycle championship round.
When the development of the Taupo track was originally proposed, a round of the MotoGP championship was one of the targets for the developers.
The A1GP took
priority when the proposed track at Hampton Downs near Meremere became mired in resource consent machinations.
The need for a New Zealand venue for A1GP a year earlier than planned forced a concerted drive for completion of facilities meeting international car racing standards.
But Chris Abbott, a long-time member of the organising body, said yesterday that two-wheeled racing remained on the agenda.
"We never had plans to stage that before 2008 but we have continued discussions with the MotoGP people and we have been back and forth to the FIM, the international motorcycling body," he said.
"The track can meet their regulations with some modifications.
"All the kerbing is pre-cast and interchangeable, so that you can replace the kerbs suitable for cars with ones needed for bikes. We believe we are pioneers in this kind of kerbing and there was a lot of interest in it last weekend."
One major difference between bike and car racing is the reaction to crashes. Safety cars are deployed in dangerous situations in the four-wheeled races. When a bike rider falls, ambulances take to the track immediately from the nearest intervention point.
To accommodate this, there would have to be up to 14 intervention points around the track to allow rescue vehicles access.
Taupo's hosting of another A1GP race next year depends more on the health of the series than on its performance last weekend, which drew plaudits from a wide range of people.
Those in the know say a successful Taupo meeting was important to A1GP as a whole as the fledgling series struggles for recognition in the hugely competitive motorsport environment.
A crowd of around 80,000 for the three days was healthy by A1GP standards and the stunning scenery and highly efficient presentation were a big promotion for New Zealand.
And Jonny Reid, who handled unprecedented media demands with aplomb, deserves credit for maintaining his concentration and finishing on the podium.
Sure, the track layout made passing difficult and the two A1GP races became processions. Track maturity and some more dollars will be needed to sort out that problem.
But the support races provided plenty of overtaking and racing of the highest standard. So it is a pity that television viewers have to wait until the state broadcaster gets around to finding a slot for them.
Colin Giltrap's vision and commitment made it all happen and the benefits will continue. New Zealand has gained a modern motorsport complex, with safety standards and spectator access far exceeding older venues.
A couple of years ago Aussie V8 boss Tony Cochrane sneered at Taupo's ability to host a big event. As he contemplates the three men and a camel who watched his Bahrain Supercar venture, he might have to eat his words.