Central North Island moteliers and tourism operators are fizzing with confirmation Taupō is New Zealand's new home for the Supercars championship.
The three-year deal may attract up to 100,000 people to each event, with Rotorua, Hawke’s Bay and Ruapehu also likely to cash in on the global attention.
Beaming around the world to 137 countries, Taupō is in a spin at news the Supercars are coming to town.
"When this opportunity came up, we took it," said Mayor David Trewavas. "We grabbed it with both hands very quickly and urgent meetings and that sort of thing... we are really excited.”
After the closure of Pukekohe Park last year, there had been whispers and Supercars management in Australia has announced Taupō as a host. There's no date yet, but Newshub understands the first event will likely be in April.
Early estimations from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Taupō District Council suggest between 60 and 100,000 people could flock through the gates next year. Almost 9500 of those will be international visitors.
The event will likely generate up to $10 million for the local economy each time it is held.
Tourism operators are excited - Supercars have a fanbase of eight million globally.
“We are going to get lots of visitors from Australia predominantly for the event," said Kiwi Supercars icon Greg Murphy. "They do support our racing over here and a Supercar event over here gives them good reason to travel."
And spend. It's hoped many visitors to the region will splash out beyond the track on activities like fly fishing, parasailing, mountain biking and hiking.
“Everyone's just really excited," said Taupō tourism operator Simon Jolly. "It'll benefit everyone, from the hoteliers to us operators to restaurants, and the surrounding areas as well, not just downtown Taupō, but out towards Turangi, Mangakino and Rotorua as well.
"Everyone is going to benefit."
With just 6000 rooms across Taupō's motel/hotel sector and Airbnb, Rotorua, Ruapehu, Hamilton and Hawke's Bay can already smell the petrol - and the money.
"It would be really important to hear what those dates are, sooner rather than later, so we can plan and be prepared," said Rotorua Hotel Industry chair Ann Gregor-Greene.
The Government won't divulge its investment with Supercars to get this over the finish-line, but already the phones are ringing.
"Talking to operators already in Taupō, a request came in for 100 rooms the other day," said Trewavas. "The phone calls will come and what I'm saying to tourism operators is be ready, be prepared."
When the rubber hits the road, the entire central North island can share the love.
