Hamilton's V8 loss Auckland's gain, says Key

Prime Minister John Key. Photo / Janna Dixon

Hamilton's loss of the V8 Supercars event after next year will be Auckland's gain, Prime Minister John Key says.

During a visit to Hamilton yesterday, Mr Key said having the race at Whenuapai from 2013 would be a "wonderful thing" and could have Auckland's support now Hamilton was out of the picture.

"I'm disappointed for Hamilton. It's a matter for the local council and I appreciate and respect their view but it's a great event and one that I think will be missed by many people in Hamilton," he said.

The Hamilton City Council agreed to end its contract with V8 Supercars Australia at the end of September after the organisation presented it with an ultimatum of cancelling it after the April 2013 race or spending up to $650,000 in resource consent costs to apply to move the event to November.

During its negotiations with the council V8 Supercars denied being in any discussions with any other parties in New Zealand.

Mr Key said the decision to move the V8s to Auckland was now - with the exception of getting Ministry of Defence approval to use the land - in the Auckland Council's hands.

Former Hamilton City Council chief executive Michael Redman, who was instrumental in bringing the event to Hamilton, now heads Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development for the Super City.

Mr Key had no concerns Auckland would find itself in the same position as Hamilton where, after five years, ratepayers have spent $40 million on the event, $22 million of which is debt-funded.

The Prime Minister said there had been "a bit of dialogue" between his office and the V8 Supercars Australia management about the move to his Helensville electorate and setting up a 3.5km track on the Whenuapai Air Base from 2013.

"There's a facility there [in Whenuapai], it's not without its complications as well, but it would certainly work and attract a large audience."