1 Media release

26 March 2013

Fan Trail to V8 Supercars ITM 400 Auckland

The red carpet will be rolled out for the fans attending the ITM 400 Auckland at Pukekohe next month with the return of the popular Fan Trail to the V8 Supercars exclusive New Zealand event. The Fan Trail became one of Auckland’s ‘must do’ activities during Rugby World Cup 2011 and was reintroduced for the All Blacks successful Bledisloe Cup defence at Eden Park in 2012. “We realise that part of the event experience is getting to the venue, and we want to make sure that when fans arrive in Pukekohe they capture the buzz from the moment they leave their car, event bus or train,” says Jennah Wootten, ATEED’s Manager Major Events.

“The Fan Trail will showcase some very enterprising local businesses, and some show stopping theatrics and performances. We’re going to pull out all the stops to ensure race goers have a unique V8 Supercar experience.” The ITM 400 Fan Trail will feature entertainment for all ages including racing car simulators, car displays, photo booths, live music, grid girls, food and refreshment stops.

The Fan Trail has become a signature feature of Auckland major events portfolio and is one three pre-events organised by ATEED as part of the V8 Supercars ITM 400 return to Auckland.

The event is expected to generate a return on regional investment of $7 million this year and approximately 50,000 visitor nights for Auckland. International exposure for Auckland as a destination is assured with V8 Supercars events broadcast in 137 countries.

The Fan Trail experience will start for some people at Britomart Station, when they board the train.

The walking route in Pukekohe and activation programme commences at the Pukekohe train station and covers a distance of 1.4km’s.

Fans will be directed along a route which passes through The Zone Shopping Centre along Subway Road, which connects with the intersection of Glasgow Road, where event bus commuters will be able to join the Fan Trail. Fans will continue along Manukau Road, past Crosbie Road and Wrightson way to entrance (gate one) of Pukekohe Park Raceway.

The Fan Trail will operate on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April, from 6.45am – 10am and 4pm – 7pm. There is no Fan Trail on Friday 12 April.

The trail can be walked in under thirty minutes, but fans are encouraged to take their time and allow up to an hour to enjoy all the activities along the way.

A further announcement is to follow regarding ITM 400 Pit Stops in Auckland. Visit aucklandNZ.com/V8Supercars for more information.

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Other ATEED led events include:- The Golden Autoversary is on Saturday 6 April, King Street Pukekohe from 10am – 3pm. Highlights of the day include:-

- 50 years of motorsport show reel on the big screen, hosted by Greg Murphy with interviews archive footage and pictures from 1963 to today.

- Unveiling of the Possume Bourne statue at 11am. Possum Bourne, a Pukekohe local, died in April 2003 from injuries sustained in a car crash on the Snow Farm access road during the lead-up to the Race to the Sky hill-climb. The bronze statue of the driver created by Queenstown sculptor Minhal Al Halabi, was been relocated from Cardrona to Pukekohe with the support of Possum’s family.

- Local performers, clowns, Ferris wheel and walk of fame featuring some of the great names and great moments of Pukekohe’s racing heritage.

- There will also be a monster truck show at the local Counties Inn.

Tickets are on sale from Ticketek for as little as NZ$30 plus fees, with three-day general admission for NZ$110 and three-day grandstands from NZ$145.

Kids 12 and under receive free GA entry into the event with a paying adult. Patrons who prepurchase tickets will have special event services by train or bus from Auckland included in the price.

To plan your journey, visit www.at.co.nz or phone 09 366 6400.

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