Supercars teams could face an even tighter turnaround for the ITM Auckland SuperSprint with the championship facing the prospect of shipping cars and race equipment to New Zealand.
Speedcafe.com understands that a global shortage of Boeing 747-400 aircraft used to air freight cargo has forced the championship to consider sea freight for the penultimate round of the series at Pukekohe from November 2-4.
A Supercars spokesman has confirmed to Speedcafe.com that the championship is working through its transport options for New Zealand.
Supercars has shipped race cars and equipment across the Tasman for the annual trip to New Zealand in the past prior to when it held races at Hamilton from 2008 to 2012.
However, in recent times the much faster but more expensive air freight method via Gibson Freight has been used.
This practice sees a Boeing 747-400 make two trips carry 16 cars on each journey while also carrying team’s support gear and spare parts.
If the championship is forced into the sea freight option, teams will likely have to prepare their cars and equipment for a departure from Brisbane days after the Vodafone Gold Coast 600.
It would also mean that outfits will receive their cars back in Australia much later, leaving less time to prepare for the Coates Hire Newcastle 500 held three weeks after Pukekohe.
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