Hampton Downs Motorsport Park
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| Location | North Waikato, New Zealand |
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| 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 | 6 |
| 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 North Waikato (between Auckland and Hamilton), 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 also includes 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. Currently in construction are hospitality suites, SUV Course, Jet Sprint Course, Paint Ball Arena, Commando Course, Corporate Karting Circuit, Business Park, Business Apartments (with 7-car garages) and a national Museum.
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The circuit [edit]
The track consists of two independent circuits that can also be combined to form one large circuit. The circuits' direction are clockwise. Its surface is impressively smooth and mix with blind bends and crests and bends.[2] The undulating medium circuit incorporates the long front straight (950m long with a kink in the middle and a 12m rise and fall) is 2.8 km long with six corners and includes pit garages. The short track is 1.2 km long with four corners. The back straight is a flat 750m. Both tracks can combine into a 3.8 km circuit with five right-hand and four left-hand corners with at least four good passing opportunities.[3] instructor and A1GP veteran Jonny Reid suggested spectator will be pleased from the Hampton Downs circuit because it is wide enough for passing. He also suggested the tricky circuit rewards sweet-handling cars and good race car drivers.[2]
Accommodation [edit]
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 the motel 'pool' 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 / guests.
Track facilities and specification [edit]
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 [edit]
Demonstrations [edit]
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 [edit]
The track has hosted some big events since it opened in 2009, with the biggest event that the track hosts has been the V8SuperTourer which have 2 Rounds at the circuit a year. With the V8SuperTourer been the premier touring car series in New Zealand the event always brings big crowds.
Past V8 SuperTourers Race winners [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Kara Segedin (2009-10-27). "Motorsport: New track has vvvroom with a view". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
- ^ a b c Jacqui Madelin (2009-11-08). "Motorsport: Opening blast on intriguing track". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
- ^ Eric Thompson (2009-07-01). "Motorsport: Hampton Downs races to finish". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
- ^ 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.
External links [edit]
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