A cry to recreate New Zealand's home of motorsport before it closes next year has been heard.
After it was announced Pukekohe Park would fall silent and focus fully on equine activities, a petition was launched to have the circuit added to the iRacing simulator service.
The campaign received endorsements from the likes of four-time Bathurst 1000 winner Greg Murphy and three-time Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin.
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The subscription-based racing simulator has some of the world's most well-known grand prix circuits as well as speedways, dirt ovals, off-road courses and hill climbs.
It also has a handful of Australian circuits, including Phillip Island, Sandown, Winton, and the now-extinct Oran Park.
An agreement has been reached that will see iRacing scan Pukekohe Park so that racing can continue on the circuit in the virtual world.
"Within a few hours of the announcement about Pukekohe Park's repurposing, we reached out to iRacing to scan the circuit and they agreed almost immediately," said MotorSport New Zealand CEO Elton Goonan.
"While we were working in the background, the petition and campaign of James Anderson, a passionate fan and sim-racer, certainly helped get this across the line."
Pukekohe Park has a rich motor racing history, including hosting the New Zealand Grand Prix throughout the 1960s, '70s and '80s.
Winners of the famed race include Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, John Surtees, Keke Rosberg as well as New Zealand's own Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon.
"iRacing is proud to help preserve such an important piece of New Zealand motorsport history as Pukekohe Park," said iRacing executive vice president Steve Myers.
"From Supercars to the New Zealand Grand Prix, Pukekohe hosted many of the world's top racers and most competitive racing series over nearly 60 years.
"By bringing the track to iRacing, future generations will have the opportunity to lap the famous circuit exactly as it was before its closure, giving them a sense of what made this track so beloved to so many."
The announcement comes on the eve of the final Supercars round at Pukekohe Park across September 9-11.
A release date has not been confirmed, although the circuit will be scanned before its closure in 2023.
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A cry to recreate New Zealand's home of motorsport before it closes next year has been heard.
After it was announced Pukekohe Park would fall silent and focus fully on equine activities, a petition was launched to have the circuit added to the iRacing simulator service.
The campaign received endorsements from the likes of four-time Bathurst 1000 winner Greg Murphy and three-time Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin.
LIVE UPDATES: US Open Day 11 - Women's semi finals
READ MORE: Latrell reality Joey would 'hate' to happen
READ MORE: Hamilton pours cold water on Ricciardo plan
The subscription-based racing simulator has some of the world's most well-known grand prix circuits as well as speedways, dirt ovals, off-road courses and hill climbs.
It also has a handful of Australian circuits, including Phillip Island, Sandown, Winton, and the now-extinct Oran Park.
An agreement has been reached that will see iRacing scan Pukekohe Park so that racing can continue on the circuit in the virtual world.
"Within a few hours of the announcement about Pukekohe Park's repurposing, we reached out to iRacing to scan the circuit and they agreed almost immediately," said MotorSport New Zealand CEO Elton Goonan.
"While we were working in the background, the petition and campaign of James Anderson, a passionate fan and sim-racer, certainly helped get this across the line."
Pukekohe Park has a rich motor racing history, including hosting the New Zealand Grand Prix throughout the 1960s, '70s and '80s.
Winners of the famed race include Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, John Surtees, Keke Rosberg as well as New Zealand's own Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon.
"iRacing is proud to help preserve such an important piece of New Zealand motorsport history as Pukekohe Park," said iRacing executive vice president Steve Myers.
"From Supercars to the New Zealand Grand Prix, Pukekohe hosted many of the world's top racers and most competitive racing series over nearly 60 years.
"By bringing the track to iRacing, future generations will have the opportunity to lap the famous circuit exactly as it was before its closure, giving them a sense of what made this track so beloved to so many."
The announcement comes on the eve of the final Supercars round at Pukekohe Park across September 9-11.
A release date has not been confirmed, although the circuit will be scanned before its closure in 2023.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
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