By Matthew Agius
The 2007 V8 Supercar Championship Series heads to Pukekohe Park Raceway in New Zealand this weekend for the final ever event at the popular event in the land of the long white cloud.
Pukekohe has been a mainstay of the championship for several years – first as a non-championship event, and then joining the calendar in an official capacity in 2001. It is the first of a series of permanent circuit replacements likely to occur in the future, with a Hamilton street race usurping Pukekohe’s place on the series fixture.
Pukekohe has produced exciting racing over the years, and has been particularly favourable to Holden. Ford has not won at this event ever since it took on its position as an official championship round.
Teams News
Toll HSV Dealer Team – Rick Kelly (#1), Garth Tander (#16)
Following an investigation into ownership of Holden’s two front running teams by the Touringcar Entrants Group Australia (TEGA), the Toll HSV Dealer Team will feature on the Clipsal 500 grid after their audit was approved by the franchise watchdog of the V8 Supercar Championship.
The reigning champions are starting their first season ever with two brand new cars, and drivers Rick Kelly and Garth Tander are keen to hit the Adelaide streets.
Holden Racing Team – Mark Skaife (#2), Todd Kelly (#22)
The Holden Racing Team is looking to deliver Mark Skaife a record beating thirty-eight round wins this weekend. Skaife, who equalled the late Peter Brock’s record of thirty-seven outright wins at Pukekohe last year, has been unable to find the elusive record-breaker.
“I always feel confident at Pukekohe as it’s a circuit I’ve gone well at,” Skaife said.
“It rewards consistent fast lap times and that’s what we’ve shown so far this year, in Adelaide and Perth. Bringing our new day-glo VE Commodores up to speed so quickly has been a remarkable achievement from the team and it all points to a really successful year.”
Tasman GMC Motorsport – Jason Richards (#3), Greg Murphy (#51)
Tasman Motorsport will have a new major sponsor join the team this weekend. The Motor Traders Association of New Zealand will have its logo splashed along the sides of the VE Commodores of Greg Murphy and Jason Richards. In addition, the pair will utilise brand new Holden Motorsport V8 engines this weekend, hopefully giving the hometown heroes extra firepower to do well at their national event.
Britek Motorsport – Jason Bright (#25), Alan Gurr (#26)
![Mark Skaife - HRT Holden Commodore [pic credit: HRT media]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/300771.jpg)
