TONY Quinn was lost for words after a special weekend, but he did have a light-hearted gesture to the critics who’d questioned Taupō Motorsport Park’s suitability for Supercars.
An avid supporter of motorsport who has consistently put his money where his mouth is, the ITM Taupō Super400 marked the first time a Quinn-owned circuit had hosted a Supercars Championship round.
The Scotsman also owns Queensland Raceway (acquired from John Tetley in late 2021), Highlands, and Hampton Downs, as well as a 40 percent share of Triple Eight Race Engineering.
Capping a successful weekend for Quinn filled with action-packed racing and a three-day attendance of 67,411, Will Brown led a Triple Eight one-two in the Sunday Supercars race.
“I don’t have words for it, to be fair,” reacted Quinn.
He hailed the event a success for fans, the government and the track alike, and declared it proof that Taupō is up to the task.
“To all of those people that said when it was announced that ‘it could never happen in Taupō, the roads are not good enough, there’s not enough beds’ and all these problems… (shows middle finger),” Quinn quipped, drawing several chuckles.
Supercars drivers and teams, not to mention chairman Barclay Nettlefold, have expressed interest in a New Zealand double-header next year.
In reality, that talk has existed for years – but Quinn wants to ensure something does come of it now.
“There has been a lot of talk, but I have a habit of walking (the talk) as well,” he said.
“So I think the talk will develop with the walk.”
It’s believed the initial target, at least of Nettlefold’s, is to expand to a 14-round Supercars calendar in 2025.
