Hampton Downs likes bikes

Article reprinted with permission from ACP Media. Motorcycle Trader NZ - Issue 157

Words and photos: Bernard Carpinter

The $100 million racetrack taking shape at Hampton Downs has been designed with motorbikes in mind. One unique feature for New Zealand circuits will be the run-off areas, they will all be sealed, instead of grass or gravel.

Superbike star Andrew Stroud thinks this is a good idea. If a rider realises he is going too fast for a corner, he then has the option of running off the track confident that he can keep the bike upright, and returning to the fray unscathed.

The new circuit – just off State Highway One near Meremere, between Auckland and Hamilton – has been designed to FIA (the international car racing body) category two, which means it will be able to run just about anything below Formula One.

Hampton Downs Motorsport Park director Tony Roberts said the circuit planners consulted with motorcycle representatives to make sure it would also be suitable for two-wheeled racing. Stroud also liked the general layout of the circuit, which at 3.8km will be the longest in New Zealand. However it has only nine corners, whereas the original redevelopment of the Taupo track had 16.

“We wanted to make sure the track would have good passing opportunities,” Roberts said. He wanted to avoid long twisty sections that would make passing difficult.

The track should be particularly interesting because it will have a lot of elevation changes – the difference between the highest and lowest points will be 12-14m. It runs in the anti-clockwise direction, so most of the corners will be left-handers, and it can also be configured as two separate smaller circuits.

Roberts said the circuit would mainly cater for New Zealand national championships, club racing and classic meetings, as well as testing, driver training and corporate track days. However it would also be suitable for international events.

Like Taupo, the project incorporates industrial parks for businesses related to motorsport or the motor industry. Other facilities include pit garages, corporate hospitality suites, trackside apartments, a lifestyle estate and a camping ground.

Construction began last month and the track is expected to be ready for action in the 2008-09 season.
In other track news, Manfeild – which has become very bumpy – will be completely resurfaced this year, and will also gain a new $700,000 control tower. Spectator facilities are being upgraded and the garage-hospitality suite complex will be extended when more leases are signed.

At Taupo, a tight section was replaced with a fast new right-hander for the A1GP car meeting in February. This leads onto the straight past the old club-house, where the “S”’s have been straightened out so racers are carrying a lot of speed when they get to the sweeper leading onto the main straight.

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