Six rounds have been confirmed for the 2020/21 Speed Works Events Championship, all of which will be held in the North Island.
The four North Island circuits of Pukekohe, Hampton Downs, Manfeild and Taupo will all host at least one of the six rounds. Pukekohe and Hampton Downs will stage two events each.
The series kicks off on October 31-November 1 at Hampton Downs before venturing north to Pukekohe Park on December 5-6.
The first round for the new year will again be held from Hampton Downs over January 23-24. Whether the 4km International circuit will be used for at least one of the rounds at the Waikato venue will be announced in due course.
Manfeild, home of the New Zealand Grand Prix since 2008, will host its sole round on February 13-14.
The final two rounds will each be run in March, the first at Pukekohe on March 6-7 and the finale from Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in Taupo on the 27-28th.
As reported yesterday, Motorsport New Zealand and Speed Works Events have cited tough border restrictions and a strong decline in the national economy as the primary motive to host all rounds in the North Island.
The South Island hiatus is expected to only be for the one year with suggestions a third round down south will be added for the 2021/22 season.
“We are really disappointed that we haven’t been able to take the championship series to the South Island for the 20/21 season,” said Elton Goonan, Acting CEO of MotorSport New Zealand.
“With the budgets now extremely tight, we have seen a real reduction in club, category and competitor spending in the race sector at this early stage of the economic recovery. Whilst, we do expect this to improve we need to be mindful of the long-term outcomes”
Championships and classes at each event will announced closer to the time of each event.
Importantly, the Castrol Toyota Racing Series is still looking at all options for its 2021 season. While it is expected a similar North Island-only calendar will be announced, no decisions on the shape of the schedule will be made until the end of October.
2020/21 Speed Works calendar dates
| Round | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hampton Downs | October 31-November 1, 2020 |
| 2 | Pukekohe | December 5-6, 2020 |
| 3 | Hampton Downs | January 23-24, 2021 |
| 4 | Manfeild | February 13-14, 2021 |
| 5 | Pukekohe | March 6-7, 2021 |
| 6 | Taupo | March 27-28, 2021 |
Once again a decision by Speedworks without consideration for the Fans or Other organized events.
There is a Classic and Historic event at Taupo on Jan 23/24, I’m sure they are putting a lot of work in with entries etc.
Then you decide to put your event on just up the road!!
In it something to do with Tony Quin, trying to piss off the organizers at Taupo.
I know who I will be supporting.
Cheers,
Brendan