And that’s a wrap.
The chequered flag has flown for the final time at Pukekohe following an incredible three days of action that featured plenty of racing, car displays, an aerobatic showcase and, most importantly, a lot of good times.
Fans turned out in droves to witness a piece of history being made, jumping the chance to add a few further memories of the track whilst simultaneously taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
Troy Wheeler will forever be etched in the record books as the final ever winner at the circuit, taking a thrilling victory in the evening’s Super Trucks Flying Farewell.
Ryan Mason and Glenn Smith also joined as Flying Farewell winners, first Mason winning the Hamilton Asphalts Saloons Flying Farewell before Smith won the Eric Mallard Fast Forty Flying Farewell.
The action prior to those races also didn’t disappoint, right from when it began at 9am when the Super Trucks Scrub Session turned into a race to make up for yesterday’s no result.
What followed was nothing short of the send-off Pukekohe deserved.
There were GTs, muscle cars, historics, Mazdas, Hondas, Utes, trucks and so much more.
Such a wonderful display of vehicles also needed a strong display of drivers, and Pukekohe’s Flying Farewell had just that.
There was all-time lap record holder Smith, appearing briefly in his iconic Crawford Porsche before switching to his McLaren.
There was Angus Fogg, a great of the circuit over the last 25 years. His final weekend brought two more wins, the veteran claiming races one and four of the Central Muscle Cars’ meet.
Then, of course, there was Ken Smith, the New Zealand racing great who claimed two of his three New Zealand Grand Prix victories at this very circuit. Smith took the wheel of a McLaren to lead a stunning display of cars for a lap around the course come lunch time.
The end was nearing.
The Mazda Racing Series wrapped up their tenure at the venue, as did the Honda Cup, the Pre65s and Super Minis, the V8 Ute Championship and the Super V8s.
Central Muscle Cars took the honour of the final class on the track, Fogg’s second victory an all but fitting tribute.
All that was left was three Flying Farewells. They didn’t disappoint.
First up was the Hamilton Asphalts Saloons Flying Farewell, a 15-lap handicap race open for Honda Cup, Mazda Racing Series, V8 Utes, Pre65 and Super Minis, Production Race Series and select Super V8 competitors.
A diverse field was expected, and that’s what we got with cars ranging from Minis right through to Falcon and Commodore Utes.
Up stepped Mason, the sole Super V8 in the field taking the lead early over a fast pack of V8 Utes to come home a narrow 1.5 seconds ahead of Brad Kroef with Paul Fougere rounding out the podium some two seconds back.
Then there was the Eric Mallard Fast Forty Flying Farewell, consisting of the faster Super V8, Central Muscle Cars and Colin Waite Open GT competitors.
It was now Smith’s time to shine, his McLaren setting blistering speeds seeing his lap times consistently around the 56 second mark to take the lead with just three laps remaining.
He was followed by Dwayne Carter in his extremely quick Ford V8. Nathan Strachan took a commendable third by proving consistency was key to hold off a field of fast charging vehicles in his stylish Mazda RX7 V8.
That left just the trucks, nine of New Zealand’s biggest racing machines closing the meet and the track along with it.
Wheeler was the driver who took the race, etching his name into Pukekohe folklore and becoming an answer to pub trivia questions for years to come.
The victory was well deserved, Brent Collins holding off an Alex Little charge before the latter ran wide at the hairpin, on the final lap, in a bold attempt for the lead. It was disaster for Collins, however, who was disqualified for exceeding the 160 km/h speed limit to see Wheeler, who crossed the line second, awarded the win.
Little recovered from his off-track venture for second whilst Dave West pulled off a massive burnout on his birthday to celebrate third.
There was also a special award for Mark King who was the final ever competitor across the line at Pukekohe.
Then it was done. Car racing at Pukekohe was no more.
Pukekohe had seen its last race.
Words: Supplied
Images: Neville Bailey
