THE push to bring the Repco Supercars Championship back to New Zealand is gathering momentum, with genuine hopes of a 2024 return.
Anticipation only rose during the week as Supercars management headed across the ditch to assess the feasibility of Taupo Motorsport Park as an option to succeed the now unavailable Pukekohe Park Raceway.
Taupo is understood to be the favourite, slightly ahead of Hampton Downs.
But New Zealand is a country rich with motorsport pedigree and boasts several more popular tracks.
So, in the spirit of casting the net as widely as possible, V8 Sleuth called on leading Kiwi motorsport journalist Simon Chapman to help formulate an expert insight into the nation’s seven best venues and their respective pros and cons.
The list below is ordered geographically, from north to south – and for the purpose of this exercise, we’ll define ‘major city’ as having 150,000-plus population (Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Tauranga).
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park
Opened: 2009
Length: 3.8km (International Circuit)
Location: North Island
Proximity to closest major city: 54km north of Hamilton
PROS: Has arguably the best infrastructure of any circuit in New Zealand as well as being the closest to major metropolitans. Relatively close to Auckland International Airport. Plenty of accommodation in Auckland/Hamilton. The circuit’s footprint is large enough that it has the capacity to host the most spectators of any circuit in the country. Viewing is generally considered to be good, and it has a proven track record with big events like Australian GT, V8 SuperTourers, and the New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing.
CONS: Uncertainty around resource consent and exactly how many spectators the circuit is allowed to host. Almost too close to the motorway. Expected traffic chaos with no existing public transport options for what would almost certainly be the most well-attended event at the circuit ever. Most spectators need to travel by car unless extensive public transport options are introduced (and circuit is perhaps too far from Auckland/Hamilton to make that work). The first WRC super special stage in 2008 at Hampton Downs had all sorts of problems with people parking near the prison.
Taupo Motorsport Park
Opened: 1959
Length: 3.3km (Track 1)
Location: North Island
Proximity to closest major city: 136km south of Tauranga
PROS: New Zealand’s only FIA Grade 2 circuit. Facilities are good enough for Supercars. A proven track record with A1GP. Generally considered a good viewing venue given its flat nature; the entire circuit can be seen from just about anywhere on the main/back straight. Centrally located: three hours from Auckland, two hours from Hamilton/Tauranga, four-and-a-half hours from Wellington. Potential for public transport options from the town of Taupo to the circuit, roughly 10 minutes apart. Tourism promotion opportunities aplenty across the region with Rotorua, Mt Ruapehu nearby. Probably the biggest drawcard for Federal Government from a tourism point of view.
CONS: Despite being a tourist town, Taupo isn’t flush with accommodation. A1GP showed that even the biggest acts may not necessarily attract massive attendance. Perhaps not remote by Australian standards, but not a day trip venue for Aucklanders. Gets very cold in winter with the average highs around 12 degrees. Fog is often an issue at the circuit too in winter and events have been known to be extensively delayed or cancelled because of it. That would almost necessitate the race being at the start or end of the season.
Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon
Opened: 1973
Length: 4.5km (Full Circuit) or 3.0km (Short Grand Prix Circuit)
Location: North Island (near Palmerston North)
Proximity to closest major city: 157km north of Wellington
PROS: One of the best viewing circuits in the country, but lacks capacity. Two hours from Wellington. Generally provides good racing. Has history with World Superbikes and the New Zealand Grand Prix. Pit facilities are good. Potential for public transport between Palmerston North and Feilding. Huge paddock capacity.
CONS: Six hours from Auckland, five hours from Hamilton. Close-ish to Wellington, but maybe not close enough. Spectating only on the front straight. In the middle of nowhere so mightn’t get the government funding that’s needed.
Ruapuna Raceway
Opened: 1963
Length: 3.3km
Location: South Island
Proximity to closest major city: 15km west of Christchurch
PROS: The closest of any circuit to an international airport. Just 10 minutes down the road. Is liked among drivers and is technically challenging. Has hallmarks of Oran Park with an almost identical turn one/two complex. Great viewing for spectators. Close to a metropolitan in Christchurch and potential for public transport. Domestic events are often well-attended.
CONS: Facilities are lacking with only sheltered pits as opposed to enclosed garages. Spectator areas amount to an embankment and some small grandstands. Would probably need a facelift to bring it up to Supercars standard. Small paddock.
Levels Raceway
Opened: 1967
Length: 2.4km
Location: South Island
Proximity to closest major city: 155km southwest of Christchurch
PROS: A venue well-attended by locals. Two hours from Christchurch.
CONS: Very narrow in parts and is the shortest of any circuit in New Zealand. Laps would be sub-minute. Only a handful of major spectator vantage points, although viewing is considered good. Facilities lacking and no corporate amenities. Too small to handle Supercars.
Highlands Motorsport Park
Opened: 2013
Length: 4.1km
Location: South Island (near Queenstown)
Proximity to closest major city: 426km southwest of Christchurch
PROS: The newest circuit in New Zealand with arguably the most fascinating layout as a figure eight. Spectacular vistas and promotional opportunities for New Zealand tourism. Widely considered a great driver’s track and would offer good racing for Supercars with perhaps the most variety of any circuit on the calendar.
CONS: Virtually no permanent pit facilities to speak of and only a small amount of corporate hospitality capacity adjacent to race control. Might need upgrades to be considered safe in parts (see Aus GT crash into the trees). Very remote. Five hours from Christchurch, so questions over attendance. Aus GT showed that even the best drivers don’t necessarily attract a crowd. Although it has potentially the most opportunity for tourism promotion, its location isn’t favourable.
Teretonga Park
Opened: 1957
Length: 2.6km
Location: South Island (near Invercargill)
Proximity to closest major city: 573km southwest of Christchurch
PROS: Boasts being the southern-most circuit in the world. A fun layout. Typically draws good local crowds for high-profile domestic events. Can run very late into the evening due to sunset being at 9:30pm.
CONS: Very small paddock, infrastructure is lacking, no pit garages to speak of. Perhaps too short. Maybe only two or three passing opportunities at most on what is an eight-turn circuit. Too far from major metropolitan areas, but would attract a big local crowd. Tends to get very cold in winter, although the weather in summer is still dicey at the best of times.
