V8 Supercars Australia and the Hamilton City Council have agreed to a new seven year contract to jointly manage the successful ITM400, New Zealand's largest annual sporting event, in the City.
An agreement was reached this week that means
V8 Supercars Australia's will deploy its enormous expertise in promoting the event in conjunction with the Hamilton City Council, which will continue to support the event through infrastructure and promotional support.
The
V8 Supercars Australia Board unanimously supported the decision to promote the event, recognising the massive New Zealand support base and the importance of the event to the sport. The Board also acknowledged the strength of the New Zealand market and its great passion for motorsport, and to this event.
With Hamilton City Council's backing,
V8 Supercars Australia will underwrite the ITM400 across the seven years and assume all financial risk, as well as provide the infrastructure to manage the event.
Hamilton has successfully hosted the event for three years after winning hosting rights in 2006.
It is the largest single sporting event in New Zealand, and despite the recent economic downturn in the country, still attracted more than 100,000 people through the gates over three days last month.
The ITM400 has given the region and New Zealand massive economic benefit year on year. A post-event survey in the Waikato Times after last month's event showed 75 per cent of the local community wanted the race to remain in the City and continue for the long term.
A number of new features to broaden the appeal of the event from 2011 include the unique 'rock'n'race' format which will see concerts held in either Seddon Park or Waikato Stadium.
Other new initiatives include exploring moving the event from April to November from 2012, and substantially increasing the spend promoting the ITM400 in New Zealand and Australia.
Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock welcomed the new partnership: “The city has already shown it is capable of staging the V8 Supercars, which is no mean feat, and having
V8 Supercars now running the event means it is well positioned to go from strength to strength.“