In Checkered Flag, the father and daughter duo managing the Pukekohe Park Raceway want to give everyone one last chance to go fast before its closure.

Since it opened in 1962, the Pukekohe Park Raceway has hosted the New Zealand Grand Prix, the Tasman Series, and Supercar Championships as well as local racing and drifting competitions. But in April 2023, circuit manager Gary Stirling closed its gates for the last time. It had been decided the land would instead be dedicated to horse racing.

Checkered Flag follows Stirling and his daughter Natalie Stirling, the admin and cafe manager, as they prepare for the course’s closure. There are flooded pit garages, final track days, the last classic festival, the last motorcycle day, a surprise engagement – and the last day ever.

When that day came around, Stirling spoke to the drivers from the tray of a ute: “You’re all part of history, you are the last ever people to be on this circuit.” He then joined them, in the passenger seat of a McLaren. 

Checkered Flag was made with the support of NZ On Air.