'Positive' prospect for hosting rights

Manfeild Park officials will know by the end of next month whether they will be hosting the New Zealand Grand Prix until 2014.

That is when the controlling body, MotorSport New Zealand (MNZ), will release its decision about the hosting rights to the blue riband event for the next four years.

MNZ general manager Brian Budd wouldn't be drawn on whether any other circuits had made bids, as Manfeild did in July last year.

He said a final decision had yet to be made but the issue had been discussed by his executive.

His only hint: "I think it will be reasonably positive."

Manfeild Park chairman Ben Vanderkolk had expected to meet MNZ officials and those for Toyota New Zealand during the final national meeting at Taupo on March 20. But since then, he had discovered that Manfeild's presence wouldn't be needed.

That might be good news.

Budd said the meeting would now be a largely informal gathering with Toyota NZ staff and would not include the Manfeild envoys. MNZ has a contract with Toyota regarding the Toyota Racing Series, which includes the grand prix and has another five years to run.

MNZ owns the championships, including the grand prix, but its promoter, The Motorsport Company, runs the racing.

Budd spoke positively of Manfeild after it hosted the grand prix meeting on February 13-14.

"Manfeild was looking pretty good. We didn't have a problem at all with it," he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News