Pukekohe Park Raceway return rumour mill keeps churning

Rumours have been spreading that Pukekohe Park Raceway could make a comeback after it was closed to all motorsport activity earlier this year. However, they’re unlikely to be true.

In July 2022, circuit owner Auckland Thoroughbred Racing announced that it plans to redevelop the site for its own purposes, those being related to horse racing.

Considering the rich history of the track, the news left many Kiwi and international motorsport fans disappointed. It also left Supercars looking for a new home, which it recently found at Taupo International Motorsport Park.

However, some held out hope for the return of Pukekohe, but rumours like Tony Quinn’s acquisition of the property don’t seem to hold any sort of credibility for one good reason.

According to enquiries made by our sister website Velocity News, even if a potential buyer such as Quinn forked out $80 million for the land Pukekohe Park Raceway sits on and committed another $20 million to upgrade the track and its facilities, it would now be impossible to obtain resource consent from Auckland Council to host motorsport events at the venue.

The possibility of a new track opening in a different location is also afoot, with word spreading about a consortium of investors looking into the construction of a new facility in the Bay of Plenty.

While we cannot confirm anything at this time, the news appears to have some substance. But as for where such a track would be located is anyone’s guess.