Auckland Waterfront Unlikely To Host Formula E Race In '19

The "brakes have been pumped" on ASB Classic maestro Karl Budge's latest endeavor -- Auckland "looks unlikely to get a Formula E race on its waterfront" in '19, according to Nick Truebridge of STUFF. In November, a consortium including Budge and New Zealand Innovation Council CEO Craig Cotton announced it had secured the rights to host an annual leg of the int'l electric car grand prix. Racing was slated for late '19 or early '20, and Ports of Auckland said that it would "consider opening up Bledisloe Wharf for a circuit." But Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development "poured cold water on the prospect" of a race being held in '19. ATEED Destination GM Steve Armitage said, "The timing for hosting an event here in 2019 is unlikely to work." In announcing the hosting rights in '18, Cotton said that U.K.-based sports research company SMG had produced a report estimating Formula E could generate NZ$150M ($101M) for Auckland yearly (STUFF, 1/8).