• Latest
  • Trending

Ferrari Challenge committed to New Zealand return

September 29, 2020

Auckland Arena proposal scrapped, but Speedway’s future at Western Springs remains unclear

July 8, 2025

Zeltwanger shows his racing prowess at Manfeild

July 8, 2025

Zack Scoular keeps pushing forward in Eurocup-3 campaign

July 8, 2025

Callum Hedge keeps consistency rolling with another Top-6 finish

July 8, 2025

Elite MotorSport Academy underway for 2025

July 7, 2025
FIA F3 Championship

Sharp’s sensational Silverstone charge blunted by sudden downpour sending him aquaplaning off track

July 7, 2025

Dixon takes record-extending win at Mid-Ohio after rare mistake by Palou 

July 7, 2025

SVG Reigns Again: Shane van Gisbergen wins Chicago NASCAR Cup Race to complete historic weekend sweep

July 7, 2025

Norris triumphs in chaotic British Grand Prix as McLaren secures historic 1-2 finish, Lawson DNF in lap 1 incident

July 7, 2025

Motorsport mourns the loss of Tim Miles after tragic accident

July 6, 2025

Van Gisbergen goes back-to-back on the streets of Chicago in Xfinity thriller

July 6, 2025
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
VelocityNews
Subscribe
  • International
    • Formula 1
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Super GT
    • Super Formula
    • TCR
    • WEC
    • GT
    • Porsche Carrera Cup
    • BTCC
    • DTM
    • IMSA
    • IndyCar
    • Road to Indy
    • NASCAR
    • WRC
    • MotoGP
    • Motorcycle Racing
    • Historic Racing
  • New Zealand
    • Toyota Formula Regional
    • Toyota GR86 Championship
    • Rally
    • Speedway
    • Drifting
    • Formula Ford
    • Formula First
    • TCR NZ
    • TransTasman V8 Series
    • V8 Utes
    • GT New Zealand Championship
    • GTRNZ
    • Central Muscle Cars
    • Pirelli Porsche
    • Mazda Racing Series
    • NZ Endurance Championship
    • NIERDC
    • SIERDC
    • Pro8 South Island Series
    • SsangYong Utes
    • Kartsport
    • NZ Historic Racing
    • NZ General
  • Australia
    • Supercars
    • Super2
    • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
    • Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
    • Porsche Sprint Challenge
    • S5000
    • Australian GT
    • TCR AU
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Circuit News
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard
No Result
View All Result
VelocityNews
No Result
View All Result

Ferrari Challenge committed to New Zealand return

by Zane Shackleton
September 29, 2020
in New Zealand, News, NZ General
0

The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Asia Pacific Series says they are committed to bringing future events back to New Zealand after a one-off venture to Hampton Downs in 2018.

A steady band of heavy rain, unfortunately, greeted the one-make series upon its four-day event at the Waikato venue. The downpour saw both races postponed until late Sunday and qualifying delayed as the local fire brigade helped clear the standing water.

The event has since failed to return to the Asia Pacific calendar with races at Albert Park in conjunction with the Australian Grand Prix the only frequent round in the South Pacific.

A criticism of the New Zealand event was the lack of support categories which left spectators disinterested during the lengthy breaks between races.

However, Filippo Zanier, Head of Corse Clienti Asia Pacific believes the round was a hit with drivers, and he hinted at a possible return to New Zealand after the global pandemic has abated, and international travel returns to normality.

Zanier says the series is continually looking to expand across the Asia Pacific region and will no doubt have New Zealand on their radar for future seasons.

“The race weekend held in Hampton Downs in 2018 is a cherished memory for the Ferrari Challenge APAC racers,” Zanier told Velocity News.

“Despite the unforgiving weather conditions, our drivers had nothing but praise for the track, a layout that follows the contours of the land poses challenges that are becoming rarer in motor racing, and there was definitely a lot of appreciation for that.”

Zanier went on to suggest a return to New Zealand will likely see a return to Hampton Downs. The other realistic host venue being its sister Highlands Motorsport Park circuit in Cromwell.

But he also emphasised the Covid-19 pandemic must be considered when drafting a calendar and any return to New Zealand won’t be until at least the 2022 season.

 “Concerning our chances to return in the coming years, it’s clear that our decisions on the near future have to take into consideration the impact of Covid-19.

“These days, when we plan a racing event, a high degree of flexibility is of paramount importance, as the daily changes in immigration policies due to the pandemic can lead to sudden event cancellations.

“Given the logistical challenges, we don’t see this happening for the 2021 championship.

“Having said that, our series is called Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific, and that isn’t just a name,” he added.

“We are committed to bringing the excitement and passion of our racing weekends back to Australia and New Zealand, countries where the passion for the Prancing Horse has deep roots.

“When travel restrictions are completely lifted and borders are open again for both our drivers and our staff, the possibility of racing again at Hampton Downs will definitely be on our agenda.”

The series operates on an ‘arrive and drive’ notion and often sees the field mostly made up of gentleman drivers. The only Kiwi to have entered the 2018 Hampton Downs event was ex-NZ V8  driver Grant Baker.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.

No Result
View All Result
  • International
    • Formula 1
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Super GT
    • Super Formula
    • TCR
    • WEC
    • GT
    • Porsche Carrera Cup
    • BTCC
    • DTM
    • IMSA
    • IndyCar
    • Road to Indy
    • NASCAR
    • WRC
    • MotoGP
    • Motorcycle Racing
    • Historic Racing
  • New Zealand
    • Toyota Formula Regional
    • Toyota GR86 Championship
    • Rally
    • Speedway
    • Drifting
    • Formula Ford
    • Formula First
    • TCR NZ
    • TransTasman V8 Series
    • V8 Utes
    • GT New Zealand Championship
    • GTRNZ
    • Central Muscle Cars
    • Pirelli Porsche
    • Mazda Racing Series
    • NZ Endurance Championship
    • NIERDC
    • SIERDC
    • Pro8 South Island Series
    • SsangYong Utes
    • Kartsport
    • NZ Historic Racing
    • NZ General
  • Australia
    • Supercars
    • Super2
    • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
    • Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
    • Porsche Sprint Challenge
    • S5000
    • Australian GT
    • TCR AU
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Circuit News
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard

© 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.