The Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes mayors have thrown their weight behind a bid by the Highlands Motorsport Park to host the New Zealand Grand Prix.
At this week's Cromwell Community Board meeting, Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper said he had given a ''reference'' in support of the bid.
''It'll be interesting to see if they can secure that event,'' he said. A delegation from Highlands would present a formal proposal to the executive committee of MotorSport New Zealand this weekend for the rights to host the Grand Prix for three years, from 2015 onwards, Highlands business development officer Josie Spillane said.
Highlands owner Tony Quinn, manager Mike Sentch, PR/events manager Mel Kees and Mrs Spillane would be presenting the case.
''Manfeild has been the home of the event but ... we believe Highlands would be able to host a grand prix worthy of international acclaim and it would have fantastic benefits for the region, as well,'' Mrs Spillane said.
Highlands was thrilled Mr Lepper and Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden had given their ''full support'' to the bid. The $20 million Cromwell-based motorsport park opened at Easter and the first race meeting was staged over three days last month. The biggest crowd - 12,000 people- attended the final day of racing.
Following the event, Mr Quinn said Highlands ''should be considered strongly as the new home of the New Zealand Grand Prix''. The Grand Prix, held at the Manfeild Autocourse near Palmerston North, was once internationally renowned but seemed to have ''fizzled'' in recent years, he said.
