Manfeild will host the NZ Grand Prix for next two years, but improvements needed

Manfeild will host the New Zealand Grand Prix until 2020, but the Feilding facility has some improvements to make if it is to hang on to the event any longer.

Speedworks promoter Geoff Short confirmed the Manawatū racetrack retained hosting rights to the prestigious race, despite an initial report from  him that the race wasn’t guaranteed back at Manfeild next year.

The deal involves a review after 2020, with a possible two-year extension.

The Manfeild track had some upgrades required if it was to compete with other tracks,  ​such as Pukekohe Park, for hosting rights in the future, Short said.

He reiterated previous calls for more permanent garaging in the pit lanes and covered seating for fans. Manfeild  was forced to install temporary tent pits to the left of the main grandstand this year.

He also thought some of the older buildings needed to be removed.

“There’s a lot of old buildings there I’d like gone, to be honest. Looking at the layout… it’s got some good things, like lots of parking.

“If we do want to take this somewhere further, we are going to have to do something with the facilities.”

While it wouldn’t be done overnight, Short wanted to see it included in a long-term strategy.

Manfeild has held the grand prix since 2008, but it came under fire last year after concerns it no longer had the profile the national race deserved.

Manfeild beat a proposal from Waikato track Hampton Downs and an expression of interest from Pukekohe Park last year. The agreement saw Speedworks take over the running of the event and Manfeild remain solely the venue provider.

A promotion  where all Palmerston North and Manawatū ratepayers were offered a free ticket this year helped to introduce some new people to motorsport, Short said.

There was a big increase in the number of families that attended and trying to retain them for future years was something that needed developing, Short said.

“We definitely got people there that never would have come. It surprised me how many families came along.”

Manfeild chief executive Julie Keane said she wanted the event to be one the country could be proud of. She would continue to work with Speedworks, the Palmerston North City Council and Manawatū District Council to grow it.

“The 2018 race was a success, not least in respect to the crowd count, which was a significant improvement on previous years,” Keane said.

“[We] have taken opportunity to reflect on the value of the region’s generous three-year support package last year – support that really allows for some amazing opportunity.”

Some of those opportunities would be off-track entertainment, Short said.

“If we can have a free concert, if we can have clowns doing face painting for kids or a number of other activities, it will help.

“We just need to make the show better.”

Source :Stuff.co.nz

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