Motorsport: ITM to support Supercars for next three years

Shane Van Gisbergen during the ITM Auckland SuperSprint at Pukokohe. Photo / Mark Horsburgh

ITM will continue as naming rights partner of the ITM Auckland SuperSprint for the next three years despite the city having no extension to continue as host beyond this year.

Supercars and ATEED [Auckland Council's events arm] continue to have dialogue around a contract extension - it is expected a new deal will now come later this month before the calendar is due to be released.

The 2017 ITM Auckland SuperSprint Supercars, to be held at the spiritual home of motorsport in this country at Pukekohe Park Raceway on 3-5 November, was launched in Auckland today.

It will mark the 17th time Supercars has competed in New Zealand, and will be buoyed by dominant performances of defending Kiwi Champion Shane van Gisbergen, Fabian Coulthard and current leader Scott McLaughlin in this year's Championship.

Coulthard was in Auckland today to launch the 2017 ITM Auckland SuperSprint to news that ITM was on board ahead of his favourite Supercars event.

"All the drivers enjoy coming to New Zealand for sure, but for us three Kiwi drivers, coming home and racing at Pukekohe is very special," said Coulthard.

"Auckland is my home so to race in front of friends and family is fantastic. And the noise from the fans, particularly from the Hill on the front straight, is incredible. It is a feeling like no other.

"Right now with Shane (van Gisbergen) and my Shell-V Power Racing teammate Scott (McLaughlin), the Kiwi boys have had a great start to the year.

"The big PIRTEK Enduro Cup is fast approaching and after that we head to Pukekohe where I know, with the fantastic support from local fans, we can put on a really great show."

ITM Marketing Manager Chris Boyle said the partnership with the event had grown since ITM first secured naming rights to become a feature of the company's brand portfolio.

"Being able to continue to support the ITM Auckland Supersprint for another three years was a fantastic opportunity that we couldn't pass up," Boyle said.

"As the largest sporting event in New Zealand, with three Kiwi's showing the Ozzies how it's done, and the tremendous love of motorsport by the ITM store owners and customers, we were excited to be able to bring the race back to Pukekohe.

"The ITM Auckland Supersprint truly has become an event not to miss. ITM is very excited about the future racing and looking forward to the ongoing relationship with Supercars and ATEED."

Supercars are hoping an extension to continue at Pukekohe beyond this year is not far away.

"New Zealanders are among some of the most passionate and knowledgeable motorsport fans anywhere in the world and we are delighted to showcase Supercars and this great city to a global audience," said Supercars Managing Director, Matt Braid.

"To have an ongoing partnership with such a fantastic New Zealand company such as ITM is tremendous for the event which is one of the biggest and best on our yearly calendar."

The event has attracted around two million fans since 2001, while Supercars has become a popular motorsport category globally, now reaching 263 million homes in 92 countries.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) Head of Major Events, Charmaine Ngarimu says the ITM Auckland SuperSprint continues a stellar year of major sporting events for Auckland.

"We look forward to welcoming the ITM Auckland SuperSprint Supercars back for the sole New Zealand event in the championship, with all the action and excitement that comes with it," she said.