NZ round secure as street race given green light.

The future of V8 Supercar racing in New Zealand has been secured after Hamilton City Council was given resource consent for the proposed street circuit in the North island city.

The announcement means that New Zealand will host a round of the V8 Supercar Championship for the next eight years - with a final year at Pukekohe Park Raceway in April next year followed by seven years of a new street race circuit around the streets of Hamilton from April 2008.

"The decision is exciting for the motorsport fans in New Zealand, and particularly for Hamilton," event promoter Dean Calvert said. "We knew that had this not been successful, then the V8 Supercar Championship, which is being courted by countries around the world, would not return to our country.

"There is a massive job ahead of us, firstly to run next April's event at Pukekohe for the final time and then to build this incredible street event in Hamilton."

Calvert added that there are plans to have tickets available from early next year with the Waikato community and patrons to the PlaceMakers V8 Supercar meeting at Pukekohe next April to be given preferential rights. A maximum of 156,000 attendees will be allowed for the inaugural street race in April 2008, while more than 5,000 people will be associated with the running of the event

"Clearly the lesson from this is that the Hamilton Council and Hamilton is the can do place in New Zealand," V8 Supercars Australian chairman Tony Cochrane said. "Full credit to Mayor Michael Redman and all of his council. This is a great achievement. He's been able to make happen what Auckland and Wellington couldn't do.

"We've built a fantastic fan base in New Zealand and I think this is the next huge step up in that country. I'm sure it will make our sport even bigger again in New Zealand. It gives not only Hamilton a great showcasing opportunity but also New Zealand motorsport."

Kiwi race ace Greg Murphy agreed that the news is a boost for motorsport in New Zealand - coming not long after it appeared that the country could lose it's round of the series full stop.

"It's great for V8 Supercars and great for the Kiwis in the V8 Supercar Championship," he said. "Going to Hamilton for seven years on a street race circuit is going to be phenomenal. It's going to put Hamilton on the map for car racing for a very, very long time and they should be proud of what they have achieved.

"A street circuit takes the race to the people. The race is so close to the centre of the city. It is going to be amazing. I can't wait."