The 2006 V8 Supercar Championship Series heads to Pukekohe Park Raceway in New Zealand for round two of the title fight – the newly renamed PlaceMakers V8 Supercars 2006.
For several drivers in the championship, Pukekohe is their home round of the championship. As an event, one man has truly dominated this event – Greg Murphy has won here every year since 2001, the majority for Kmart Racing, save for one exception in 2004 when Jason Bright won the event for PWR Racing. Murphy continued PWR Racing's streak in 2005 when he took victory with PWR's Super Cheap Auto Racing Commodore. Like many circuits with long straights incorporated into the circuit design, Pukekohe’s layout is a favourite for Holden teams whose Commodore Supercars seem to have a slight advantage over their Falcon rivals.
As a circuit, Pukekohe is one of the more simple tracks on the thirteen-round V8 Supercar calendar. Seven turns and a top speed of more than 200 kilometres down the back straight are incorporated into the fast and flowing circuit design, however its bumpy surface means car setup is a premium-asset. A good run out of turns six and seven can often set a driver up for a pass down the pit straight as can a good exit from turn four onto the straight and the braking approach to the hairpin.
The race format has been slightly adjusted for 2006. There will now be an increased two and a half hour practice session, a one hundred kilometre sprint race and two longer one hundred and forty kilometre races to conclude proceedings for the weekend.
