07/01/2008
NEWS STORY
Taupo Motorsport Park management will check their circuit carefully to ensure it hasn't been affected by the brace of earthquakes to hit Taupo in the last week.
An initial earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale was recorded at a depth of 120km near Taupo last Thursday, followed on Saturday by a jolt measuring 5.6 at a depth of 80km.
Taupo Motorsport Park managing director David Steele said the depth of the earthquakes should have prevented any damage, but the track is still being carefully scrutinised ahead of the A1GP Taupo between 18-20 January.
"When we said we were ready to rumble for the A1GP, we didn't mean for the earth to move like it has," Steele said.
"We've given the track a decent once over ahead of this weekend's Taupo Car Club national race meeting and we'll continue to keep an eye on it as well as check all our temporary structures during the next week."
The grandstands for the A1GP Taupo have already been erected and platforms for corporate marquees have been laid.
"Next Monday is when everything goes up a gear or two," Steele said. "We take delivery of marquees, more catering equipment goes in and the final sprucing up of the infield takes place."
Fine weather has kept contractors ahead of schedule and ensured the venue is looking pristine.