The Hampton Downs Motorsport Park is situated in rural northern Waikato New Zealand. The motorsport park is an ambitious privately funded enterprise by two Motorsport friends, Tony Roberts and Chris Watson. Roberts and Watson purchased two dairy farms from Envirowaste in December 2003 and began the long task of getting resource consent to build the Motorsport Park.
The concept of apartments on the edge of the circuit was entirely new and untested in the market. They came up with the concept from observing its success alongside golf courses to help fund the project. With construction beginning in February 2007. The completion was planned for late 2008, but a particularly wet winter pushed the opening out to October 2009.
In January 2010 Hampton Downs was officially opened by the Waikato District Mayor, Peter Harris, at the Bruce McLaren Festival. This Festival was the first of the very successful Historic Motorsport Festival promoted to celebrate a famous New Zealander, or car marque.
Hampton Downs has become a major venue for local motorsport without the restrictions imposed by tracks that share the use with the horse racing fraternity like Pukekohe Park Raceway. It also reflects a modern approach to motor race track design and associated amenities.
In 2015, Tony Quinn purchased the complex and work started almost immediately to complete the circuit extension, based very much on the original plans.
Currently completed are the hospitality suites above the pits, a corporate karting circuit, business park, business apartments and cafe.
The Bruce McLaren Trust has an industrial unit with a large collection of the famous NZ racing driver and originator of the McLaren F1 team memorabilia, which can be viewed most days.
Hampton Downs is now arguably the most technically advanced race circuit in the world, with complete integration between Alitrax control, start lights, flag point lights, pit lane lights, CCTV system, Mylaps timing, environmental sound monitoring, pit lane speed monitoring and large outdoor LED information displays. Most day-to-day operations are now fully automated including a vehicle safety system that monitors all vehicles on track and alerts the operator within 30sec if a vehicle stops on track.
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Racing Circuit Info
Hampton Downs is located at Meremere on New Zealand's north island, approximately 60 km south of Auckland and 65 km north of Hamilton, both around 45 minutes' drive away. Auckland Airport is even closer at 55km.
The track is easy to reach by car, being located just off the State Highway 1 – just turn off at Hampton Downs Offramp. There is ample parking available at the circuit.
Two International Airports: Auckland 50km and Hamilton 70km
Two International ports: Auckland 60km and Tauranga 150km
Under Construction.
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Courtesy:| NAME | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Muddy Waters Irish Pub & Restaurant | 36 Riverbank Rd, Mercer 2474, New Zealand - +64 9-233 6663. Great atmosphere and good food. Well worth the stop when driving south. Thoroughly enjoyed and recommended to all. |
| Daywen Vineyard | 62A Orchard Rd, Te Kauwhata 3782, New Zealand - +64 2 7457 8807. |
| Bakehouse Cafe | 10 Main Rd, Te Kauwhata 3710, New Zealand - +64 7 826 3686. Brilliant range of food and drinks. Fish and chips, Chinese, burgers, steaks, chicken and chips, pies, and the usual sweet pastries. |
| Moosy's Pizza | 35 Main Rd, Te Kauwhata 3710, New Zealand - +64 7 826 3815. Buy here. Don't get Pizza hut junk. Base is very nice slight crust with soft centre. Plenty of toppings. All this for $12. Great place for pizza gas and upcoming bakery pies |
| Te Kauwhata Trust Tavern | 18 Main Rd, Te Kauwhata 3710, New Zealand - +64 7 826 3481. I'm sure the locals already know that this place is a fantastic place to eat and have a cold one. Came here with some friends from Huntly had a fabulous meal great service and highly recommend it |
| NAME | ADDRESS | CONTACT | MAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury Under Canvas Glamping | Luxury Under Canvas Glamping. 268 Mercer Ferry Rd, Mercer 2696, New Zealand | +64 2 7702 0555 | |
| Soft Leaf Farmstay | Soft Leaf Farmstay. 268 Mercer Ferry Rd, Mercer 2696, New Zealand | +64 2 7702 0555 | |
| North End Motel | North End Motel. 3768 State Highway 1, Huntly 3771, New Zealand | +64 7 828 8298 |
