HAMPTON DOWNS - BRUCE MCLAREN FESTIVAL 2010

[The SpeCTator]

This weeks Autosport says Hampton will not be open until mid 2010, I have just spoken to the organising team and they have confirmed it will be open on time for the start of the Bruce McLaren Festival in January 2010

http://www.tasmanrevivalseries.com/news.htm

[mountainstar]

Wow that track has been delayed for years now. Wonder if they will ever finish it?

[rogerwills]

The organisers are very confident that the meeting in January is going ahead. They are also speaking to Autosport to make sure they put them right about the state of works etc.

[275 GTB-4]

From: Historic Racing Club Inc [mailto:list@grandprix.org.nz]
Sent: Friday, 2 October 2009 2:38 p.m.
To:
Subject: Hampton Downs Events


NZ Festival of Motor Racing featuring Bruce McLaren

As you will all be aware – the eyes of the motorsport world will fall on New Zealand when we welcome the biggest ever gathering of iconic historic and classic racing cars in this country for the double-head NZ Festival of Motor Racing which takes place over consecutive weekends at Hampton Downs and Pukekohe.

We believe that a conservative NZ$100 million plus of some of the sport’s most iconic racers will gather for meetings at the tracks – January 22-24at Hampton Downs and January 29-31 at Pukekohe - with the first theme a celebration of the life and achievements of legendary Kiwi racer and race car builder Bruce McLaren.

Discounted Early Bird tickets are available for a limited time through the event website, www.nzfmr.co.nz.

There are only very limited numbers of tickets available at these advance prices and we would obviously prefer that benefit to be shared with are valued members and their families as widely as possible, so please buy now to avoid disappointment or higher prices!

Auckland Car Club to run its inaugural race meeting at brand new Hampton Downs Circuit.

The Auckland Car Club is pleased to announce that it will be running its inaugural race meeting at the brand new Hampton downs race track on Sunday 15 November. Interest is expected to be strong both with the competitors to try out the new circuit and for the public who will get a great view of the new circuit from many vantage points. The circuit is about 3 km south of the Meremere drag strip, and an easy 45 minute drive down the motorway from Auckland City.

The club expects record entries as competitors come to try the new track, although only the National circuit will be operating with the smaller club circuit, which combines to make the international circuit, will be operating.

Classes running at the meeting will provide varied and close racing with race for:

Northern Muscle cars

Production Muscle cars

Classic Japanese series

Racing Saloons

Production Saloons

Qualifying is due to start around 10-15 with the first races around 11-30.

Entry forms are available only online, at www.motorsportentry.com with some further information available at www.aucklandcarclub.org.nz. For enquiries contact race committee chair Nigel Smith on 021377280 or at vicepresident1@aucklandcarclub.org.nz

Rally New Zealand

Media statement

1 October 2009

Rally New Zealand to use Hampton Downs

When the World Rally Championship contenders head for Rally New Zealand in May next year, they’ll get to sample New Zealand’s newest motorsport complex, Hampton Downs, as part of the weekend’s competitive action.

Saturday 8 May will see the Rally New Zealand field utilise the Hampton Downs circuit and facilities for an exciting day of up-close rally action for fans, says Rally New Zealand’s clerk of course Willard Martin.

"Competitors will depart Parc Ferme in Auckland City early on Saturday morning and head south to run stages in the Franklin, and North Waikato," says Martin.

"Late in the morning the field heads for Hampton Downs, which is near Meremere and to the east of the stages used earlier. At this excellent new complex, competitors will run one timed super special stage around the 2.8km asphalt circuit. As New Zealand rally driver Mark Tapper says after his experience running on gravel-spec tyres on tarmac stages in Australia, it’s exciting for both competitors and fans to have the powerful rally cars tackling an asphalt stage on gravel-spec tyres."

The Hampton Downs complex also hosts a remote service park for all teams to perform their mechanical repairs and preparation before the driving crews head back out for the afternoon’s rally stages. Options for corporate hospitality are being developed at present, as are a range of other entertainment options designed to create a family-friendly day of rallying and other motorsport action at the circuit.


The rally cars return to Hampton Downs in late afternoon to complete a second super special stage before returning to the main service park at Auckland’s Queens Wharf.

The modern new Hampton Downs complex offers car fans from the major cities of Auckland and Hamilton and all surrounding areas an excellent opportunity to see the exciting WRC cars in action, says Jamie Kett, CEO of the motorsport and events complex.

"The new venue has another fantastic opportunity to prove its worth as a multiplex of events and activities as it helps host Rally New Zealand on Saturday 8 May," says Kett. "We’re excited to be involved and offer a unique dimension to this iconic motorsport event."

Kett says Hampton Downs Motorsport Park is scheduled to open in October of this year.

"When it does it will be New Zealand's best motorsport facility. The 2.8 kilometre clockwise circuit, one of three in the complex, features six corners, hilly contours, plenty of overtaking opportunities and superb spectator viewing along with top class facilities. Situated 68 kilometres from central Auckland and 65 kilometres from the city of Hamilton the circuit is well placed to attract huge crowds to the exciting events planned for the facility – if you put a dot on Hampton Downs and draw a 220km circle around it, more than half of New Zealand’s population lives in that circle."

Rally New Zealand runs from 6 to 9 May in 2010. The event’s home-base is Auckland City and the route taking competitors both north to Whangarei and Kaipara districts and south to the Franklin, North Waikato and Raglan districts with the remote service parks used on each of the three days now confirmed at the Quayside Town Basin in Whangarei, Hampton Downs motorsport complex and the Raglan airfield.

ENDS/

For further information, please contact:

Willard Martin, clerk of course, Rally New Zealand

Mob: 021 936-244

HRC Tasman Revival Meetings

The two non historic Tasman Revival meetings will be held at Hampton Downs 15 /16 /17 January 2010 and Taupo 5 /6/7 February 2010. Entry forms for these events will be posted on www.motorsportentry.com. within two weeks. At present it is planned the Taupo meeting will have a round of the Formula Toyota Championship. A number of the overseas entrants for the NZ Motor Racing Festival featuring Bruce Mc Laren have indicated they will racing at Taupo. The Historic Super Sedans will be at the Hampton Downs round.

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[NAC]

Went to the track open day last weekend, been meaning to post some photos. Will do soon

[John Turner]

Well, that's given the new circuit a bit of free promotion, hasn't it? I'll probably get my wrists slapped for leaving it up, but I have edited a few bits out as well as highlighted the events. I leave it there on the basis that encourage any 'proper' historic racing initiative, and, of course, Bruce McLaren was more than a bit special.

[rogerwills]

And several people from here are attending.... me included.

We are taking the McLaren M1B and also the ex-Bruce McLaren Cooper T51 grand prix car.

[John Turner]

Excellent, Roger. Can we expect a full report, after?

[rogerwills]

Sure, I will have a long flight back to write one!

[socram]

Drove the track last weekend in the Marcos - that hasn't been on road/track for three years. Wow!!! Obviously, only the intermediate circuit so far, and that is what will be used for the McLaren festival.

We should have had the first race today (Nov 1st) but the track inspector wanted a bit more work done on the verges, (5 days worth according to the contractors) and there were a couple of minor health and safety issues, as it is still classed as a construction site.

I have been writing up ASRs for our Nov 29th meeting and note that from the original grid size of 45 cars, the C o C has changed it to just 30! Whether this is a temporary measure or not I do not know, but it does have an impact on the McLaren festival grids, as they are currently set for 45 cars, with fewer allowed at Pukekohe. We already had an over-subscribed grid with over 45 for one of our own series classes, and close to it for the other.

First impressions are that it is a wonderful track with some great corners, and it will not be too fast for the lower powered Formula Juniors. Whereas my top speed at Pukekohe is 120mph just before the hairpin, I didn't hit better than about 90mph, albeit with a passenger and no safety gear.

Jonny Reid in a road-going GT3 Porsche lapped in about 1:14 - and that is probably 8-10 seconds slower than Pukekohe.

Check out U Tube for some live track in car video from a Porsche training day.

[John Turner]

Great info; keep it coming. Wish everyone involved the best of luck with the track and the forthcoming meeting.

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by socram

Drove the track last weekend in the Marcos - that hasn't been on road/track for three years. Wow!!! Obviously, only the intermediate circuit so far, and that is what will be used for the McLaren festival.

We should have had the first race today (Nov 1st) but the track inspector wanted a bit more work done on the verges, (5 days worth according to the contractors) and there were a couple of minor health and safety issues, as it is still classed as a construction site.

I have been writing up ASRs for our Nov 29th meeting and note that from the original grid size of 45 cars, the C o C has changed it to just 30! Whether this is a temporary measure or not I do not know, but it does have an impact on the McLaren festival grids, as they are currently set for 45 cars, with fewer allowed at Pukekohe. We already had an over-subscribed grid with over 45 for one of our own series classes, and close to it for the other.

First impressions are that it is a wonderful track with some great corners, and it will not be too fast for the lower powered Formula Juniors. Whereas my top speed at Pukekohe is 120mph just before the hairpin, I didn't hit better than about 90mph, albeit with a passenger and no safety gear.

Jonny Reid in a road-going GT3 Porsche lapped in about 1:14 - and that is probably 8-10 seconds slower than Pukekohe.

Check out U Tube for some live track in car video from a Porsche training day.

Inneresting! maybe the organisers need to consider heats or Divisions to ensure all the entrants get a run...it would be a nice touch if cars that ran in a particular era could be in the same heat/division.

[driftwood]

Is motorpsort in NZ big enough to do that?
3 million population means not that many racers but there are a fair few cars but often old new running in same race where as in UK/ EEC we can split cars at specific cut off dates due to the greater population

How may cars are being imported for these events?
Phillip Island gets many cars at its event locally and fair number of visitors

It will be a good excuse for a holiday to NZ and see some racing at same time
I sadly will be in NZ later in march as my beloved detests racing and will do all she can to make sure her holiday does not coincide with a race meeting!

I did manage in 04 to do south island tour get in Timaru meeting and then Phiillip island 10 days later i guess once bitten twice shy!

[socram]

OK. We are a indeed a tiny country but this is the latest...

The first race meeting at Hampton Downs was run last weekend (15th Nov 2009) by Auckland Car Club. So the doomsayers who have spread the word that it won;t be open until 2010 are well of the mark. This is the intermediate circuit and the full circuit is likely to be completed by end 2010.

The second race meeting is now Nov 28th/29th and is Club Lotus single car sprints, and a Classic trial, plus racing - Alfa Trofeo Series, and our own European Classic Saloons/Sports/GTs, split into two speed groups/classes.

All grids are full.

Sunday is the same three race groups again plus a full grid of open BMWs and two almost full grids of E30 BMWs. The Sunday is televised (at our cost) to be shown on Sky TV later in the year and we'll also be producing a DVD to commemorate the circuit's first televised meeting and to also cover the "Fabulous Fibreglass" display cars, celebrating 50 years of Marcos, complete with a lunch time track parade where I have been invited to run the ex UK 2000 GT championship winning LM500.

The current grid limit of 30 is in place until the FIA inspector has done his bit, January 2nd, so hopefully, the grid limit will be back up for the Mclaren Festival.

All trackside apartment accommodation has been sold out for ages for that event.

NZ may well be small but as far as classics and historics go, it is really booming.

The problem now is that who do we NOT invite to a race meeting. We are slightly less purist and are pragmatists, whilst other promoters/organisers prefer a more pure outlook. The number of additional Formula Juniors imported this year just to the Auckland area alone is 4, and F5000 is still a massive crowd puller with great fields and is also growing.

Those who write off NZ as a small population of 4 million "therefore they couldn't possibly put on a good field" or even a good meeting, are well wide of the mark, and that applies to the North and South Islands. We usually manage about 21 races in quick succession each day and we are not the constrained by the UK's half dozen races, rigidly running to the clock, leaving spectators officials and drivers equally bored!

Thank goodness.

[The SpeCTator]

My wife and I came last year and really enjoyed Pukekohe and have booked to come back to the Festival weekends next year.

The spirit of racing in NZ is second to none, the cars are to us Brits so interesting because we don't get to see them here in the UK (a few F5000 aside)

Its also great to see a few Brits who travel such as Roger race with new company!

It is a small country but the importance of motor sport is huge and everyone is so keen to tell you their stories.

Roll on 2010!

[John Turner]

Roger is a Kiwi, so he's going home really, but I know what you mean!

[rogerwills]

Originally Posted by The SpeCTator

Its also great to see a few Brits who travel such as Roger race with new company!

Very kind. As John has pointed out, I'm indeed a kiwi so I'm going home. Actually I will be racing in NZ for the first time.

My kids really don't know where they are from. They have NZ passports, live in Russia and were born in England...... They are going "home" this year.

[The SpeCTator]

Sorry Roger, should have known you were from NZ, recall some choice down under words at a Goodwood test day with the Lotus Cortina after a bank jumped out if front of you!
Still looking forward to see you race "the locals"

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by socram

OK. We are a indeed a tiny country but this is the latest...

The first race meeting at Hampton Downs was run last weekend (15th Nov 2009) by Auckland Car Club. So the doomsayers who have spread the word that it won;t be open until 2010 are well of the mark. This is the intermediate circuit and the full circuit is likely to be completed by end 2010.

The second race meeting is now Nov 28th/29th and is Club Lotus single car sprints, and a Classic trial, plus racing - Alfa Trofeo Series, and our own European Classic Saloons/Sports/GTs, split into two speed groups/classes.

All grids are full.

Sunday is the same three race groups again plus a full grid of open BMWs and two almost full grids of E30 BMWs. The Sunday is televised (at our cost) to be shown on Sky TV later in the year and we'll also be producing a DVD to commemorate the circuit's first televised meeting and to also cover the "Fabulous Fibreglass" display cars, celebrating 50 years of Marcos, complete with a lunch time track parade where I have been invited to run the ex UK 2000 GT championship winning LM500.

The current grid limit of 30 is in place until the FIA inspector has done his bit, January 2nd, so hopefully, the grid limit will be back up for the Mclaren Festival.

All trackside apartment accommodation has been sold out for ages for that event.

NZ may well be small but as far as classics and historics go, it is really booming.

The problem now is that who do we NOT invite to a race meeting. We are slightly less purist and are pragmatists, whilst other promoters/organisers prefer a more pure outlook. The number of additional Formula Juniors imported this year just to the Auckland area alone is 4, and F5000 is still a massive crowd puller with great fields and is also growing.

Those who write off NZ as a small population of 4 million "therefore they couldn't possibly put on a good field" or even a good meeting, are well wide of the mark, and that applies to the North and South Islands. We usually manage about 21 races in quick succession each day and we are not the constrained by the UK's half dozen races, rigidly running to the clock, leaving spectators officials and drivers equally bored!

Thank goodness.

FFS...the antipodes has always punched above its weight...I for one really appreciate what the Kiwis have done to almost single-handedly keep F5000 alive (rest of the world? hang your heads)

I will be there trackside helping out...but I have no illusions about the rural charm of the area and its lack of "sophistication"....who cares?? bring on the racing

[John Turner]

Originally Posted by 275 GTB-4

...I for one really appreciate what the Kiwis have done to almost single-handedly keep F5000 alive (rest of the world? hang your heads)

I think that the Lyons family would be entitled to feel somewhat aggrieved by that comment, given all their efforts in that direction over the years.

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by John Turner

I think that the Lyons family would be entitled to feel somewhat aggrieved by that comment, given all their efforts in that direction over the years.

you obviously are a little techy today John?...I have the greatest of admiration for the Lyons having Marshalled at Phillip Island on a number of occaisions (love the look of Judy's car)...how-bloody-ever, my comment was about the big (in numbers) committment that the Kiwis have managed rather than individual team efforts...:

[socram]

Agree! The Lyons family have been great for NZ too, but just look at how many kiwi cars have travelled to Brands Hatch and Philip Island.

Just back from our own meeting. Its a brilliant circuit to drive and although only the second meeting, everyone is learning fast. Today, we got through the planned 4 practice sessions (some of the 6 race groups practiced and raced the day before) and 18 races and we finished about 5:20. A few delays and one or two incidents that slowed things down.

For those intending to compete, it is a stunning track to drive, but quite hard on brakes, cooling systems and probably tyres.

Its a real driver's track but drivers have to be wide awake - especially in handicap races - something we do a lot of!

We believe that the developers should probably concentrate on infrastructure (pits and race control, paddock office etc), before worrying too much about the circuit extension. Why? It is such a great 2.8km track that we won't tire of it easily, but F5000 cars may find that the first corner comes up a bit too quickly after the chequered flag and may end up in the kitty litter! I'll try and post a pic or two later, but at the moment, all I want to do is rest and I need to catch up with paid work, as this meeting was a tough one to run (due the amalgamation and entry system issues, reduced grid sizes and over full grids, then a photo copier that gave up the ghost!)

The McLaren Festival is being heavily promoted and ticket sales are going very well apparently.

Although a brand new track, and no permanent stands or seating, the viewing is excellent from several vantage points. There is constant infield work going on and although patience may be required, from spectators and drivers, the feedback so far has been fantastic.

The only black spot for me was that the oil pressure disappeared when doing the track parade in the Ex UK Championship winning Marcos LM 500, that hadn't run since 2000. The owner who has been right through the car thinks it may just be a dodgy sender... But at least I got in three laps!

[cavvy]

Big contingent from the West - more than the rest of Aus combined?

Believe the BT11 Brabham that won the NZGP with Graham Hill owned by Bob Jane in Aus wont be making the trip despite the efforts of Miles Johnson , good try mate.

See the entry list, its fabulous:
http://www.nzfmr.co.nz/info_pages.ph...ts/pages_id/21

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by socram

We believe that the developers should probably concentrate on infrastructure (pits and race control, paddock office etc), before worrying too much about the circuit extension. Why? It is such a great 2.8km track that we won't tire of it easily, but F5000 cars may find that the first corner comes up a bit too quickly after the chequered flag and may end up in the kitty litter! I'll try and post a pic or two later, but at the moment, all I want to do is rest and I need to catch up with paid work, as this meeting was a tough one to run (due the amalgamation and entry system issues, reduced grid sizes and over full grids, then a photo copier that gave up the ghost!)

The McLaren Festival is being heavily promoted and ticket sales are going very well apparently.

Although a brand new track, and no permanent stands or seating, the viewing is excellent from several vantage points. There is constant infield work going on and although patience may be required, from spectators and drivers, the feedback so far has been fantastic.

In a recent Speedsport article they had a great interview with the circuit owners and it would appear to me that they have a great business plan with multiple revenue streams and a plan of keeping the track busy.

There is one track I know of in the USA that had the money for either a nice building or a circuit extension. They chose the nice building and as a result have flirted with bankruptcy for a long period of time due to not being able to run 2 tracks at once or to attract racing series that don't want to race on a short track. The nice building sits mostly unused due to not being able to pick up those other clients. Maybe a catch 22 there.

So it all depends but you have to watch closely how the money is spent. But I think they have the right idea and I look forward at some point to do some laps on it.

[socram]

Remember that the current circuit is already booked solid for the next year - not just weekends either. If you arrive at a new circuit and there is no pits infrastructure, it is no fun for the meeting officials, timekeepers, race control, dummy grid controllers, stewards etc.

Drivers seem to cope regardless but most have had enough of second rate facilities and parking in a bog. It took Pukekohe over 40 years to put some hardcore down in the paddock...

The plans for HD are exciting but even now, business is being turned away as the facilities aren't yet in place! Frustrating for the CEO. We expect every visit to the track to be better and they are certainly putting a lot of effort into the paddock, as somehow, they have to find spaces for 380 cars for the McLaren Festival. I just hope that the visitors appreciate that to get a race track up and running in today's economic and political environment, having fought the NZ roading authorities and even the Corrections' Department (there is a prison across the road, both Government Departments) is nothing short of a miracle. By the time the festival kicks off, the circuit will only have been live for exactly 60 days.

Remember also that a track extension also means more marshals are required and the Manfeild Circuit a bit further south, rarely uses the full circuit.

Running two circuits on the same day requires even more helpers and the small planned club circuit whilst ideal for small car club events, will cost a fair bit to get up and running and from where I stand, I'd rather have a paddock office with modern facilities, than the old construction crew's site office! OK, even that is better than some circuit accommodation I have seen over the years.

We do need to ensure a good ongoing supply of flag marshals and race officials coming through, to capitalise on the massive growth in Classic/Historic motorsport in this area.