Pukekohe Park Raceway’s final motorsport event, taking place 13–15 February 2026, will honour more than six decades of racing heritage with a special Sunday celebration featuring iconic machinery, legendary drivers, and the return of the cars and classes that shaped the venue’s unmatched legacy.
Among the headline elements is Drift GP, showcasing drift kings, OG pioneers, and international stars – representing Pukekohe’s modern era alongside the historic cars that made the circuit world-famous.
The farewell event is built around one central theme: celebrating Pukekohe itself, with on-track tribute laps and demonstrations paired with off-track interviews from the personalities who made the venue a cultural icon.
The entire day will be televised live globally – a non-stop festival of story, speed, and nostalgia – and follows directly on from Saturday’s D1NZ National Drifting Championship round, ensuring an action-packed weekend from start to finish.
As a major highlight of the Sunday, 15 February programme, Drift GP unites New Zealand’s drift pioneers, national champions, and leading international competitors, to honour the venue’s recent legacy as a drifting powerhouse and the World’s Fastest Drifting Corner.
Among the headline names is 2024 European Drift Champion Lauri Heinonen (Finland), who will face a curated roster of Kiwi icons and invited guests in a special Top 16 “Battle of the Greats.”
Drift GP adds a powerful modern layer to the farewell – celebrating the world’s fastest drift corner, one last time. The event also features 25 OG drift drivers, their stories, cars, and influence will sit proudly alongside motorsport legends from all disciplines.
Alongside the line-up of special guests, fans will have the unique opportunity to join the celebration through controlled on-track cruise sessions, allowing them to drive the circuit alongside motorsport icons and their cars.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience places fans directly into the venue’s final chapter – a moment no Pukekohe enthusiast will want to miss.
The historic farewell will conclude with a world record attempt, currently in the final stages of formulation and validation.
D1NZ Director James McManaway says the celebration is designed to honour the venue’s full legacy:
“Pukekohe is one of the most important motorsport venues in New Zealand’s history. This farewell reflects every era — from the early heroes through to the drift kings of today.
“Drift GP is a major part of the show, but the day celebrates the venue itself, the stories made here, and the people who shaped them. And this final act… It’s going to be something truly special and comes with special thanks to Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) for embracing and being behind this event.”
Header Image: Supplied
