Hampton Downs Motorsport Park
 | |
| Location | North Waikato, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC +12 |
| Coordinates | 37°21′14″S 175°4′31″E / 37.35389°S 175.07528°ECoordinates: 37°21′14″S 175°4′31″E / 37.35389°S 175.07528°E |
| Major events |
Toyota Racing Series NZ Drift Series NZ Festival of Motor Racing WRC V8SuperTourer |
| Full Circuit | |
| Length | 3.8 km (2.361 mi) |
| Turns | 10 |
| International Circuit | |
| Length | 2.8 km (1.740 mi) |
| Turns | 7 |
| Lap record | 0:59.840 (Michael Lyons, Lola T400, 2012, Formula 5000 Tasman Revival) |
| Club Circuit | |
| Length | 1.2 km (0.745 mi) |
| Turns | 4 |
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park is situated in rural northern Waikato (about halfway between Auckland and Hamilton on the Waikato Expressway), New Zealand near the Meremere drag strip and the dirt track club.[1] The motorsport park is an ambitious privately funded enterprise and the construction began in February 2007. The completion was planned for late 2008 but a particularly wet winter pushed the opening out to October 2009. It is a major venue for local motorsport without the restrictions imposed by tracks that share the use with the horse racing fraternity like Pukekohe Park Raceway. It also reflects a modern approach to motor race track design and associated amenities. The 450ha development's initial plans also included an industrial park, events cafe, motor lodge, lifestyle blocks, 80 trackside apartments and convention centre (re-located Britomart Pavilion) and the track is already booked out 5 days a week for driver training and various industry promotions. In 2015 Tony Quinn purchased the uncompleted complex and work started almost immediately to complete, based very much on the original plans. Currently being completed are hospitality suites, whilst an SUV Course has been running since 2013. A corporate Karting Circuit, Business Park, Business Apartments (with 7-car garages) and a museum, with administration centre and cafe are also in the short term plans.
The circuit
The track will ultimately consist of two independent circuits that can be combined to form one large circuit. The direction of the circuits are clockwise. The track has a very smooth surface, and a mix of blind bends and crests which make it a challenging circuit for drivers.[2] The front straight is 950m long with a kink in the middle and has a 11m rise and fall, and the back straight is 750m long. The international circuit, which will incorporate the long front straight and pit facilities, is 2.8 km long with seven corners. The club circuit, currently under construction is 1.2 km long with four corners. Both tracks can combine into a 3.8 km circuit with six right-hand and four left-hand corners.[3]
Accommodation
The 450ha includes 80 trackside apartments set in four blocks on the main straight, all of which were sold out within three weeks during September 2004. Many of the apartments are offered to rent as part of a motel and are able to accommodate up to six people. Ultimately, the complex will include a swimming pool, tennis court, fitness club and restaurant for the use of residents and guests.
Track facilities and specification
The track has been designed for FIA Level 2 usage, which is just one step below Formula One. Apart from racing, there will be an emphasis on the testing and driver training facility. Downforce will run driver training (instructed by A1GP veteran Jonny Reid) and corporate events at Hampton Downs. California Superbike School have signed up and base its New Zealand fleet of Suzuki GSXR600s at Hampton Downs to deliver professional rider training between-races events at Hampton Downs, as an extension of its worldwide network.[2]
Virtual models
Demonstrations
The track had been modeled in 3D by Rmedia[4] featuring a BMW Formula One car. Its full simulation also had been analyzed by FIA.[5]
Track Events
The track has hosted several major events since it opened in 2009, including V8SuperTourer rounds, which are held twice a year at the circuit. The circuit also hosts a round of the Toyota Racing Series each summer, with three races being held during the event and the New Zealand Motor Cup being contested over the final race. Many other events are held other the year including national events such as NZV8s as well as local events.
Past V8 SuperTourers Race winners
| Year | Driver | Car model | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Round 1 |  Greg Murphy |
Holden VE Commodore | Mike Pero Racing |
| Greg Murphy |
Holden VE Commodore | Mike Pero Racing | |
| Ant Pedersen |
Ford FG Falcon | International Motorsport | |
| 2012 Round 4 | Scott McLaughlin |
Holden VE Commodore | MPC Motorsport |
| Scott McLaughlin |
Holden VE Commodore | MPC Motorsport | |
| Scott McLaughlin |
Holden VE Commodore | MPC Motorsport | |
| 2013 Round 1 | Greg Murphy |
Holden VE Commodore | Mike Pero Racing |
| Greg Murphy |
Holden VE Commodore | Mike Pero Racing | |
| Greg Murphy |
Holden VE Commodore | Mike Pero Racing | |
| 2013 Round 5 | Greg Murphy Jack Perkins |
Holden VE Commodore | Mike Pero Racing |
| Tim Edgell Lee Holdsworth |
Holden VE Commodore | Edgell Performance Racing | |
| Ant Pedersen Chaz Mostert |
Ford FG Falcon | International Motorsport |
References
- ↑ Kara Segedin (2009-10-27). "Motorsport: New track has vvvroom with a view". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
- 1 2 Jacqui Madelin (2009-11-08). "Motorsport: Opening blast on intriguing track". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
- ↑ http://www.hamptondowns.com/pages/65/the-circuit.htm Hampton Downs-The Circuit
- ↑ HamptonDowns (2008-05-14). "Hot Lap on Hampton Downs". youtube.com. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
- ↑ Eric Thompson (2009-07-01). "Motorsport: Hampton Downs races to finish". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 2010-03-01.