Highlands Motorsport Park
| Location | Cromwell, Otago |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45°03′33″S 169°10′13″E / 45.0591°S 169.1703°ECoordinates: 45°03′33″S 169°10′13″E / 45.0591°S 169.1703°E |
| Opened | 30 March 2013 |
| Major events |
Highlands 101 Toyota Racing Series V8SuperTourer |
| Current Circuit | |
| Length | 4.100 km |
| Lap record | 1:30.517 (Andrew Tang, Neale Motorsport (Tatuus TT104ZZ-Toyota), 2014, Toyota Racing Series) |
Highlands Motorsport Park is a motor racing circuit and premiere tourist destination in Cromwell, Otago, New Zealand. It was opened on 30 March 2013.[1]
The facility features a 4.1-kilometre circuit, designed by drawing inspiration from some of the world's most famous race tracks. The circuit can be experienced a number of ways via Highlands Action Experiences. These include hot laps in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo or McLaren 650S, and self-drive experiences in a Ford Mustang race car or a Radical SR3.
Highlands Motorsport Park also offers experiences off the circuit, including a popular outdoor go kart track, off road buggy adventure, Jurassic safari, sculpture park and the award-winning 'The Nose' restaurant.
New Zealand's National Motorsport Museum is located at Highlands Motorsport Park, and displays a wide range of machinery, including ex-F1 cars, famous racers from New Zealand's storied motorsport past.
In early 2016, Highlands acquired the only Aston Martin Vulcan in the Southern Hemisphere, and one of only 24 worldwide. With its 4.2 million dollar price tag, the Vulcan is the most expensive production vehicle in New Zealand. The 750 hp hypercar was unveiled as part of Highlands' third birthday celebrations, and money generated from the limited passenger rides offered during that event was donated to five separate charities. The Aston Martin Vulcan is currently on display at the National Motorsport Museum at Highlands Motorsport Park.
Since 2013, the circuit hosts the final round of the Australian GT Championship.[2] On the same weekend as the Australian GT round, it hosts the Highlands 101 GT endurance race. 2016 also saw the introduction of the Highlands Festival of Speed, held annually in mid-January.
Highlands Motorsport Park is open seven days a week, and is a 45 minute drive from Queenstown.
References
- ↑ "'World-class' motorsport park opens in Cromwell". Otago Daily Times. 30 March 2013.
- ↑ "Australian GT Championship". Retrieved 8 November 2013.