Hampton Downs For Sale

[socram]

When HD first opened, part of the driver's briefing from a regular Coc at Classic meetings, was that crossing the pit entry line was a big no-no, but as alpina107 points out, it is all too easy to be squeezed over it.

Presumably, it is therefore up to the CoC to decide on the policy for the day. From the TV coverage, there were several instances of drivers crossing it.

[socram]

Shouldn't this thread be moved into the NZ sub section? Hampton Downs might be for sale, but as far as I know, it hasn't been purchased by an Aussie and relocated....

[David Towe]

Originally Posted by Alpina107

Yes and no.

The double yellow lines start a long way back and indicate the pitlane entry. About halfway along, a white line goes at an angle from the outside edge of the track across to the double yellow line. From what I've been told, you can be over/on the yellow line until the point where the white line crosses, but if you cross that white line or the second part of the yellow line, you'd better be going into the pits. Otherwise, you might end up driving the length of pitlane at 40 km/h.

That's what we were politely told.

[Goat Boy]

Originally Posted by David Towe

That's what we were politely told.

Thought as much, I bet that's why there were drive-throughs, although a couple might have been for pushing and shoving around Turns 1 & 2 as well.

[Racetroll]

I can confirm that the drive throughs given to the ST this weekend were a result of driver behaviour, not the pit entry blendline.

You're right Alpina107, we do have a great view of that area from RC. In general, I will monitor someone who has gone over the line once and if they repeatedly offend, then we deal with it. I'm well aware that sometimes you get squeezed and sometimes you genuinely forget.

Believe it or not, most of us race officials actually enjoy the racing and don't want to wreck someones race with a penalty for something accidental.

Overtake 5 cars using the lane and just about cause an accident because you suddenly swerve left to avoid the pit wall though and my attitude might be a litte different!

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by socram

Hampton Downs might be for sale, but as far as I know, it hasn't been purchased by an Aussie and relocated....

No but Quinn is active just a little north....and may have a white-anting agenda albeit inadvertantly....he probably has the means to own two tracks.

[socram]

It might help if the yellow line was extended a bit though, as it isn't that easy to see as you exit the last corner.

[HD_TR]

Originally Posted by 275 GTB-4

No but Quinn is active just a little north....and may have a white-anting agenda albeit inadvertantly....he probably has the means to own two tracks.

Quite a long way south actually, in the other island, however your point is valid and as he outlined in a radio interview recently he tried to buy it last year, but they couldn't reach agreement.

He did continue to say in the interview that he remained interested, as the two tracks will serve entirely different markets with the Cromwell one being a "members" facility, close to the Snow Farm where so many manufacturers do their testing and might like to use a track as well; and targeting smaller numbers of "normal" race meetings.

Cromwell and Queenstown are harder (more distance, time and money) to get to for most people.

Given the size of the population base within 2 hours drive of Hampton Downs (50%), and its current booking level being near full capacity, finishing up the track extension to give multiple configurations should see it used even more.

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by HD_TR

Quite a long way south actually, in the other island, however your point is valid and as he outlined in a radio interview recently he tried to buy it last year, but they couldn't reach agreement.

He did continue to say in the interview that he remained interested, as the two tracks will serve entirely different markets with the Cromwell one being a "members" facility, close to the Snow Farm where so many manufacturers do their testing and might like to use a track as well; and targeting smaller numbers of "normal" race meetings.

Cromwell and Queenstown are harder (more distance, time and money) to get to for most people.

Given the size of the population base within 2 hours drive of Hampton Downs (50%), and its current booking level being near full capacity, finishing up the track extension to give multiple configurations should see it used even more.

Hmmmm Solly, I thought I read about another circuit being built to the East of Hampton...my bad

[Mark Petch]

Originally Posted by HD_TR

Quite a long way south actually, in the other island, however your point is valid and as he outlined in a radio interview recently he tried to buy it last year, but they couldn't reach agreement.

He did continue to say in the interview that he remained interested, as the two tracks will serve entirely different markets with the Cromwell one being a "members" facility, close to the Snow Farm where so many manufacturers do their testing and might like to use a track as well; and targeting smaller numbers of "normal" race meetings.

Cromwell and Queenstown are harder (more distance, time and money) to get to for most people.

Given the size of the population base within 2 hours drive of Hampton Downs (50%), and its current booking level being near full capacity, finishing up the track extension to give multiple configurations should see it used even more.

HD_TR,

I could not agree more. You obviously meant the total NZ population i assume?

[HD_TR]

Originally Posted by Mark Petch

HD_TR,

I could not agree more. You obviously meant the total NZ population i assume?

Yep. The last set of statistics I saw had half of the total NZ population living from Taupo north, and I guess next year we'll see what the 2013 Census has to tell us.

[socram]

Back on topic. I gather that there is considerable interest in HD, so it will be interesting to see what happens. Hopefully we'll see that 1.2 track opened within a year or two. Meanwhile, will just have to buy lottery tickets.

Pity the HD Legends meeting clashes with Rod Millen's Leadfoot Festival on the same weekend, which will split the support for both.

I'll be at HD as our classes are racing,but, sadly, I don't think I will be able to by then.

[Just Do It!]

Was there any news on this front??

[socram]

We gather negotiations are in progress.

[Just Do It!]

Any clues as to who with?

[socram]

No. But I have my fingers crossed as to who it might be!

[Silver 3]

Updates? Any idea of price anyone?

[Silver 3]

I can see this is a hot topic !!

[NZSTfan]

Hi Silver 3, make of this what you want, and also take into account that my source on this info is not someone directly involved with the HD sale/acquisition etc.

I was told that Tony Quinn was buying the track, but not the facilities. Sounds weird I know, but if it is true, then its not a bad outcome in my view, as you can guarantee the track would gets its long overdue expansion.

But this is simply rumour mill central, so take this with a pinch of salt, just like I did when I heard this.

Cheers

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by Silver 3

I can see this is a hot topic !!

I suggest it could even be a hot-mix topic!!!

[Silver 3]

I am curious-- no offense intended--thought it was worth another ask !!

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by Silver 3

I am curious-- no offense intended--thought it was worth another ask !!

As am I No offense taken or even slightly perceived!

[socram]

Negotiations are still continuing and as I understand it, a buy in not a buy out - thank goodness.