One last roar for Pukekohe Park
Engines will get one last blast at the iconic Pukekohe Park with a D1NZ drifting event to take place in 2026.
On February 13-15 2026, Pukekohe will host a farewell event, being round 3 of the National Drifting Championship season.
Unfortunately, since 2023 motorsport has stopped at the much-loved venue, stepped in four-wheel racing history following an Auckland Thoroughbred Racing call to make it exclusively a horse racing and training venue.
In addition to hosting famous Supercars races from 2001-2022, Pukekohe has also been a popular home for drifting.
The high-speed sweeping left-handed Turn 1 is considered the world’s fastest competition drift corner.
D1NZ has been heading to Pukekohe for more than two decades, and a portion of what is left of the original 2.91km circuit will be used for the farewell event.
It will be a full weekend with Friday seeing Pro-Sport qualifying and elimination runs, followed by a Pro Championship competition on Saturday.
It all culminates in a special Champions showcase on Sunday as drifting takes its turn of farewelling Pukekohe after Supercars did the same in 2022.
“We’re proud to have the opportunity to bring D1NZ back to where it all began,” says D1NZ executive James McManaway.
“This venue helped shape the identity of drifting in New Zealand. Returning to Pukekohe Park for one final celebration – with Turn 1 as the centrepiece – is something truly special.
“We’re grateful to the team at Pukekohe Park and Auckland Thoroughbred Racing for their support in making this farewell happen.”
It will likely be the last motoring event at Pukekohe as it transitions to a horse racing only venue.
This drifting event has been approved as a one-off exception by ATR.
“While Pukekohe Park is now focused on thoroughbred racing, we recognise the cultural significance of this moment for the drifting community,” says ATR CEO Paul Wilcox.
“We’re supporting this one-off event on a commercial basis; with the understanding it provides a chance for a respectful farewell to the motorsport drifting community at the venue.”
Image: Supplied
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