HIGHLANDS MOTORSPORT PARK

[brown dog]

Finally some good news from UnZud, that has nothing to do with the sports politics (yet!) The carousel looks good, and some nice features planned. Proper length at 4.8km too

http://www.highlands.co.nz/

[mountainstar]

Certainly looks awesome and it's going to be great for the local area.

[adbutler]

would love to see the v8 supertourers race there.

[adbutler]

a good article about it on speedcafe.co.nz
http://www.speedcafe.co.nz/2012/08/2...-south-island/

[Mr Revhead]

I understand its not a race track as we know it. Seems its for testing and fun times for the owner. No actual racing.

[adbutler]

Originally Posted by Mr Revhead

I understand its not a race track as we know it. Seems its for testing and fun times for the owner. No actual racing.

that'd be a shame, it looks as though it'll be an awesome track.

[Mr Revhead]

Yeah looks amazing! Let's hope plans change

[flyingduck]

I did read that it wasn't going to be FIA certified that seems nuts to me when you spend all the money building it. Would be a great weekend away in Queenstown for the boys do the adventure stuff and then head out to a race meeting for the Sunday races.

[mikuni]

Originally Posted by flyingduck

I did read that it wasn't going to be FIA certified that seems nuts to me when you spend all the money building it. Would be a great weekend away in Queenstown for the boys do the adventure stuff and then head out to a race meeting for the Sunday races.

Would they need to have huge, sealed runoff areas like you see on the modern F1 tracks to comply? If so, I can see it would add considerable cost. Seems a better option to me, to just get it up and running, build the infrastructure around it, then look at FIA grade later on, once events are bringing in money.

[brown dog]

Originally Posted by Mr Revhead

I understand its not a race track as we know it. Seems its for testing and fun times for the owner. No actual racing.

I have been told that the resource consent only allows for a very limited amount of race meetings each year (8) and that it will be used primarily for testing. This information was second hand, so I cannot vouch for its accuracy though

[osrg]

Trust me on this.... It will be raced on. That's from Tony and Klark themselves.

[R4z3rw33n]

Pretty interesting development.

I seem to remember Quinn having been associated with potential development(s) of a similar nature in SE QLD over the past few years - none of which materialised. His electing to build abroad seems pretty likely the result of legislative/regulatory circumstance (urban/development planning, zoning, use restrictions - lacking consistency).

Can't say I'd blame him, either - there's minimal incentive to build a circuit (or, invest in anything beyond RE/resources) here in the current legislative environment.

Kudos to Cromwell for securing the development. It's a pretty neat location. The circuit/surroundings seem similar to Brno.
Seems pretty likely the AGT field would get a run; the possibility of a New Zealand round's been considered.

[Mr Revhead]

I hope that does happen!
But would they go to Cromwell? For those of you across the ditch it's in the middle of no where. If getting spectators through the gates is a factor, then it won't happen there.
If getting huge crowds is not important, then they could well go there.

[R4z3rw33n]

Originally Posted by Mr Revhead

I hope that does happen!
But would they go to Cromwell? For those of you across the ditch it's in the middle of no where. If getting spectators through the gates is a factor, then it won't happen there.
If getting huge crowds is not important, then they could well go there.

This doesn't seem to have bothered them, elsewhere.
Unsure as to whether the series' competitors would be overly keen. That's a matter for someone else to clarify.

[smokin'joe]

Originally Posted by R4z3rw33n

Pretty interesting development.

I seem to remember Quinn having been associated with potential development(s) of a similar nature in SE QLD over the past few years - none of which materialised. His electing to build abroad seems pretty likely the result of legislative/regulatory circumstance (urban/development planning, zoning, use restrictions - lacking consistency).

Can't say I'd blame him, either - there's minimal incentive to build a circuit (or, invest in anything beyond RE/resources) here in the current legislative environment.

Kudos to Cromwell for securing the development. It's a pretty neat location. The circuit/surroundings seem similar to Brno.
Seems pretty likely the AGT field would get a run; the possibility of a New Zealand round's been considered.

"His electing to build abroad seems pretty likely the result of legislative/regulatory circumstance "

i don't believe he was even sniffing around this project when the consents and plans were drawn up. unless he was involved with the original group the spearheaded this project unless as an silent partner

[R4z3rw33n]

Originally Posted by smokin'joe

"His electing to build abroad seems pretty likely the result of legislative/regulatory circumstance "

i don't believe he was even sniffing around this project when the consents and plans were drawn up. unless he was involved with the original group the spearheaded this project unless as an silent partner

Fairly certain I'd seen something which suggested he'd been involved in some capacity with an SE-QLD project (which, evidently never materialised) - there's no information elsewhere to confirm this.
Possibly conjecture on my part.

He'd stated an interest in circuit/facility ownership, regardless; that's become reality, in New Zealand.
It's difficult to interpret an investment this significant as anything less than positive, regardless; just representative of circumstance - e.g. local conditions (for a project of this nature) being less favourable.

[smokin'joe]

Originally Posted by R4z3rw33n

Fairly certain I'd seen something which suggested he'd been involved in some capacity with an SE-QLD project (which, evidently never materialised) - there's no information elsewhere to confirm this.
Possibly conjecture on my part.

He'd stated an interest in circuit/facility ownership, regardless; that's become reality, in New Zealand.
It's difficult to interpret an investment this significant as anything less than positive, regardless; just representative of circumstance - e.g. local conditions (for a project of this nature) being less favourable.

didn't have a crack at Hampton Downs, before buying this project off Messers Begg, Aitken, Dippie (Boult ?)

[R4z3rw33n]

Originally Posted by smokin'joe

didn't have a crack at Hampton Downs, before buying this project off Messers Begg, Aitken, Dippie (Boult ?)

Apparently. Although, your mentioning this is the first I've heard.

[Goat Boy]

Something slighty odd about this. I can't imagine why you woud build a brand new track and not have it make FIA Grade 2 at least? How much extra would it cost?
Interesting point about Cromwell, I guess if people make the trip to Levels they'd go there. But it does seem more like a rich man's plaything at the moment...

[rich07]

From what I can see he's aiming the track more at the manufacturers who test their upcoming cars nearby with some trackdays thrown in. Im sure theres more money to be made off the manufacturers then trackdays. He might be a businessman but he also loves his racing so I can see some racing being held there in the future.

[Mr Revhead]

Originally Posted by Goat Boy

Something slighty odd about this. I can't imagine why you woud build a brand new track and not have it make FIA Grade 2 at least? How much extra would it cost?
Interesting point about Cromwell, I guess if people make the trip to Levels they'd go there. But it does seem more like a rich man's plaything at the moment...

Levels is miles closer to population, not sure where you think Cromwell is?

[Goat Boy]

Originally Posted by Mr Revhead

Levels is miles closer to population, not sure where you think Cromwell is?

Not a million miles from Queenstown is it? Or Wanaka? Not as big as Invergiggle but still a few thousand around and about. Motorsport people travel anyway if the races are worth it...

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by Mr Revhead

I hope that does happen!
But would they go to Cromwell? For those of you across the ditch it's in the middle of no where. If getting spectators through the gates is a factor, then it won't happen there.
If getting huge crowds is not important, then they could well go there.

It's not any worse than Manfield, Timaru or Teretonga, or even Taupo for that matter.

[Point2]

Anybody been for a pedal around Boomrocks private track?
It was exclusive to Mercedes a the time I went for a skid! I now see BMW have taken the rights
Located just out of Wellington.

Great facility

[Mark Petch]

Originally Posted by Goat Boy

Something slighty odd about this. I can't imagine why you woud build a brand new track and not have it make FIA Grade 2 at least? How much extra would it cost?
Interesting point about Cromwell, I guess if people make the trip to Levels they'd go there. But it does seem more like a rich man's plaything at the moment...

I have to say that I am very very excited about Tony Quinn's new alpine racetrack, so much so that I have already made enquires about purchasing a trackside apartment at Highland's. Somewhere to leave the Viper and some other favourites, hang out in central Otago, and enjoy some of the best weather in the country, and no lawns to mow into the bargain, I can hardly wait!

In truth it was Grant Aitken, Allan Dippie and Ian Begg's initiative, but Quinn's money and enthusiasm that kick started their dream. Highlands may only be able to have a few big race meeting a year, but I predict that the alpine setting and the uniqueness of this circuit will be like a magnet to far bigger crowds than many people, think possible! Its got my vote in spades.