[socram]

There are plenty of regularly large series grids currently running at Hampton Downs and it only needs the buyer to decide which are sustainable and worth inviting to premier events as a support.

If the current level of charges are maintained, then it is fairly safe to assume that entry fees should not move. MSNZ bumped up their levy from $26 to what I believe is now $50 per driver, not the tracks.

Any increase in fees generally leads to some smaller grids and with the average age of our 100+ guys getting dangerously close to pensionable age each year, most being totally unsponsored amateurs, it isn't rocket science to work out the consequences if they are upped too much.

One round of Aussie GTs in itself isn't going to make a huge difference, but has anyone asked why support classes at Highlands have dwindled? Overall, we had pretty good grids at HD this last weekend - again.

There is always a reason for diminishing grids - and we have all 'heard from several people' as to what they believe are the reasons.

Sure, HD isn't a tourist mecca and probably never will be (though there still is plenty of tourism potential), but what it does have is a massive catchment area of locals, within an easy hour's drive, something that even Taupo doesn't have. Highlands Park is hardly going to be a tourism mecca either with so few race days a year, so in that respect, finishing HD as originally planned has every opportunity of increasing income from tourists and locals alike.