Many folk forget, in this part of the world, the temporary racetrack phenomenon actually began in New Zealand. It kicked off in early 1985 with Wellington’s ‘round the docks’ Nissan Sport 500. The windy city’s street circuit lived on for another 11 years as NZ’s highest profile motor race of the era.
The ‘wharfare’ ceased in late 1996, just as Australia’s Group A category was rebranded and reorganised into V8 Supercars. Controlling body AVESCO, later known as V8 Supercars Australia, spent the next decade hell-bent on getting a street race up in Kiwiland.
Auckland was initially announced as the venue, with a media event held in CBD involving drivers, promotional cars and a track map handed out. However, the country’s Resource Management Act, helping Kiwis manage (and mismanage) environmental issues, killed the proposed track and event stone cold. Strike one.
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