Unsafe track conditions at what was meant to be the opening race weekend of the 2022/23 season have led to the opening round of the Suzuki International Series at Taupo International Motorsport Park being cancelled.
The news was announced via the Cemetery Circuit Facebook Page on behalf of both Taupo International Motorsport Park and the event Promoter, Cemetery Circuit.
The decision was made at 1 pm today (December 3rd) after attempts to remedy the deterioration of the surface at turn seven, which had recently been resurfaced to improve safety, failed.
With the conditions at Taupo deemed unsafe for racing, the opening race now moves to Manfeild on December 10th and 11th.
The following is copied over from the official announcement.
"Turn seven underwent some repairs recently in an effort to improve the surface, and early indications were positive.
However, the hotter temperatures experienced and the 2nd and 3rd of December caused the breakdown of the surface and attempts to remedy the situation failed, leaving event officials and track management no option but to cancel the event due to rider safety concerns.
“This is an incredibly hard situation for all involved and we really feel for the promoter, the competitors and the fans,” says track CEO Josie Spillane. “However, the safety of the competitors is our main priority, and it became very obvious at lunchtime today that the track could not be repaired, leaving us no other option but to cancel the event.
“We recently engaged industry experts to address the track surface conditions, and our sole goal was to improve them but despite all the efforts made we did not get it right.
“Track surfaces are not an easy proposition or an exact science and what works on one track doesn’t necessarily work at others,” she says.
“We are now focussing on the solution and expect to have the park fully operational again by the end of next week.”
The track and promoters will be refunding all ticket purchasers and competitors."