Hampton Downs is Sold

[flyingduck]

Read a velocity motorsport article that Hamptons was sold for $13,500,000 any word on the plans for Hampton Downs.

Will there be less use for NZ Motorsport now or will it stay similar to what it is currently.

[Shoreboy57]

Would have to expect that there will be many changes. TQ not the kind of person to stay still. I'll be happy if this means GT3s in the North Island

[NZSTfan]

Just read the same article on Velocity. Seems some people have the idea that the track will be only for the rich and TQ's friends. Personally, I don't think it will be like that. I think TQ will finish the track, add a few extra viewing points in, and then its bye bye to Puke (hurrah! no more bird flu).

One would think that V8SC will be racing at HD when the Puke contract expires.

I think this is great news TBH

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by NZSTfan

One would think that V8SC will be racing at HD when the Puke contract expires.

I seem to recall that the problem for HD is that it is located within the Waikato rather than Auckland region. As the V8SC race is partnered with Auckland council, that'd be a pretty big hurdle to overcome if my memory is correct.

Otherwise, will be interesting to see how this unfolds. TQ has shown himself to be a person who can get stuff done and it could be great news for HD.

[mikuni]

I think this is great news too. While it is awesome for HD to be predominantly a club sport type track, this is hardly what it's original intention was and not what it was built for. It will be fantastic to see HD finally finished.

Tony is a businessman and he is not going to cut off his nose to spite his face. I believe HD will only be made better by this sale. I'm actually happier to see him buy HD than if he had have purchased Taupo.

[socram]

Was at a meeting last night and although it was hinted that it had been sold, no-one would confirm!

It does raise a lot of questions but hopefully, the regular race programme won't be adversely affected. HRC (who take out more race permits than virtually any other club), have only just published their calendar for the next 15 months, so Tony and particularly Chris may well still have some involvement. I certainly hope so.

It was hinted a week or two ago that Tony Quinn was keen to bring the Aussie GT's to Hampton Downs which would be fantastic.

There were already plans at HD for a Museum and a Kart track and as they have been a success at Highlands, hopefully they too will now be put in place.

The biggest query is the position of the apartments - especially those in the rental pool - as all the apartments are freehold and not included in the Motorsport Park. Will the proper Motor Lodge be finished with the proposed pool, tennis courts, gym etc?

There are also queries on the services such as the sewerage treatment plant, the lifestyle blocks and also the planned viillage/pub/hotel/restaurants etc. Is that land also included in the sale?

No doubt we'll find out.

[mountainstar]

Sounds positive that the track will be completed along with any other hanging threads left over.

[Mark Petch]

Originally Posted by flyingduck

Read a velocity motorsport article that Hamptons was sold for $13,500,000 any word on the plans for Hampton Downs.

Will there be less use for NZ Motorsport now or will it stay similar to what it is currently.

Hi FD,

I think you will find that Velocity has jumped the gun on this story, for sure there is talk's going on but remember the same rumor-mill had Taupo sold to Tony lock stock and barrel.

I don't pretend that I know the details, but at the end of the day, if the bank wants to override the interest of the tracks shareholders with out there consent, then the bank will have to take legal action against the shareholders, in order to be able to sell them up.

That has certainly not happened yet, so it would be entirely logical to think that the parties are looking for a compromise that would at least leave the shareholders with their shirts on their back, and a roof over their head, so to speak.

Velocity is simply following the old maxim of "never let the facts get in the way of a good story" a bit naughty but hey what the hell.

Under Tony's ownership Hampton Downs will never be the same, and I am not sure thats a good thing or a bad thing. The apartment owners will lose their grandstand seat's of the Pit action if TQ builds new pits and VIP facilities on the extended track, they may also find that significantly increased security, will also very quickly be put in place, that will help control free loaders to major events.

The cost of competing at Hampton Down's will increase dramatically, because Tony will want a return on his money, so Pukekohe will become even more popular, and Puke still remains the only racetrack in New Zealand that a promotor of a big event can make a dollar.

[RogerH]

Originally Posted by Mark Petch

……. if TQ builds new pits and VIP facilities on the extended track……..

I hope you are not suggesting that Tony wants to build a VIP Pet Foods plant on the extended track

[Kiwi race fan]

Originally Posted by Mark Petch

I think you will find that Velocity has jumped the gun on this story,

No surprises there, Velocity are pretty trigger happy & in some cases just plain inaccurate with their drivel

[bigfish]

Im sure that TQ will sleep better knowing that he has all of you advising him

[Kiwi race fan]

Originally Posted by Mark Petch

Under Tony's ownership Hampton Downs will never be the same, and I am not sure thats a good thing or a bad thing. The apartment owners will lose their grandstand seat's of the Pit action if TQ builds new pits and VIP facilities on the extended track, they may also find that significantly increased security, will also very quickly be put in place, that will help control free loaders to major events.

The cost of competing at Hampton Down's will increase dramatically, because Tony will want a return on his money,

Totally agree Mark, Tony has made it very clear that quote "Motor racing in New Zealand is too cheap". If this happens you can bet your socks there will be changes & for the average guy they will not be all good. I cant see Hampton becoming the tourist mecca that Highlands is as its simply in the wrong place for that, whereas Taupo would be perfect. However if Tony manages to acquire both then the North Island racers will really be at the mercy of money!

If anyone thinks a round of his AGT will be the saviour for any track you are wrong. Yes its a great series but it also needs great support categories at a meeting to make it a great overall event & I have heard from many people that the Highlands support classes are diminishing fast.

[mikuni]

I thought that was always the plan and the existing pit lane was only for club sport level events. Let's face it, it's far too small for even a V8ST field, it would never be able to accommodate a major international event as it stands (and it can't be easily lengthened either).

The apartment owners don't need pit viewing. They still get to see the events from the best seat in the house, and if I were an owner I would be extremely excited about the prospect of the track extension and Australian GT.

[CDM]

[QUOTE=mikuni;3520655] Let's face it, it's far too small for even a V8ST field.[QUOTE]

Holy smoke it must be the smallest pit lane in existance if its far too small to fit the current V8ST field

[flyingduck]

Saw this today http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central...se-park-denied I'm sure the velocity boys watch the site can fill us in.

[20b]

Originally Posted by flyingduck

Saw this today http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central...se-park-denied I'm sure the velocity boys watch the site can fill us in.

Interesting that this has come out. Funny that the quote is from Sentch rather than Quinn himself? Read into that what you will...

There are some very reputable sources claiming that it's all but done, just a few minor negotiations going on as I understand it. However that release has put a few doubts in the minds of the public, but that ODT statement lacks substance. I imagine an official statement will come from Quinn within a few weeks.

[socram]

Mark, your anti HD apartment owners stance is showing - again! The apartment owners are keen for the facility to be finished. There is a restriction in place whereby the bank between the units and the track cannot be built on to obscure their views.

As the complex purchaser will also own the Motor Lodge, blocking views and reducing the attraction of staying there would be a pointless exercise.

SOME units were always going to lose part of their view when the hospitality units were built on top of the current pits and a control tower built.

Amon Block owners particularly, cannot wait for the track extension to be built, as their views will be enhanced. They'll get an extra view.

As for "freeloaders". Give it a rest Mark. Those "freeloaders" are often drivers who are competing and officials who are helping run the event - and others have often bought tickets to the events anyway. Without those volunteers, meetings will not run - and we are getting to crisis point now, with two tracks to man on one day.

The extended track will not be used for all events (that is pointless) as the National track as is, does very well and is very much a favourite of drivers.

Putting miserably small grids on a longer track would be a sure recipe for failure and I can't see any purchaser wanting to do that, especially one who has already proved that a big field of Aussie GTs are a massive drawcard - when our own V8 classes are definitely not.

The extension - which will be the club circuit - will be ideal for smaller events that can run alongside the national events and manned by the clubs. Manning the extended track may well be an issue. There is no way running a car event at Pukekohe on the same day as HD is going to be properly manned without a massive increase in marshal and officials numbers - who are all unpaid volunteers.

[socram]

http://www.themotorhood.com/themotor...y-be-completed

A link article that is probably nearer the truth than most.

Although this post shows the initial layout (but with the fourth apartment block, added later) I first saw way back, well before the plans were made public, you will note that although the track direction has been reversed and a few other detail changes, there was only ever the current pits complex on that drawing.

Later plans were published with an architects model, showing a control tower between the two sets of existing pit garages, but any plans to build permanent pits on what will become the new bottom straight, appear to be pure speculation at this stage. Access from turn 1 night be tricky...

We can safely assume that most meetings will be on the existing track, so building pits on the new longer bottom straight contradict the plans for a 'village' and other mixed residential/commercial units alongside that bottom straight.

The ex Hamilton(?) footbridge has been alongside the track between turns 1 & 2 since it was purchased, as this was going to be an access to the village area across the track.

Whether any purchaser adheres to those plans will of course be totally up to them... Until any deal is signed and sealed, we can only speculate regarding any future plans.

[mikuni]

Originally Posted by socram

Although this post shows the initial layout (but with the fourth apartment block, added later) I first saw way back, well before the plans were made public, you will note that although the track direction has been reversed and a few other detail changes, there was only ever the current pits complex on that drawing.

True, but that artists impression is a lot different to Hampton Downs now. I will concede that it implies there was never any 'plan' to build a second pit complex.

Looking at it, it would make complete sense to put a pit facility down the new straight, between the two circuits.

[Southern Man]

Originally Posted by mikuni

artists impression is a lot different to Hampton Downs now.

I wonder if the changes planned include running the circuit in the direction that it was first designed for. If you look at the cars on this drawing they are running anti clockwise

[Martin Collins]

Originally Posted by Southern Man

I wonder if the changes planned include running the circuit in the direction that it was first designed for. If you look at the cars on this drawing they are running anti clockwise

From what I know Southern the track was changed to its current direction due to its proximity to SH1 and the approach speed to that corner.

[Southern Man]

Originally Posted by Martin Collins

From what I know Southern the track was changed to its current direction due to its proximity to SH1 and the approach speed to that corner.

My understanding too Martin, I just wonder that now funding is less of an issue perhaps suitable embankments and run off areas could be developed, or, maybe some realignment so as to reduce the direct angle towards the highway combined with embankments and run off areas.
In my opinion it is a better race circuit running anti clockwise rather than the present direction

[Martin Collins]

Originally Posted by Martin Collins

From what I know Southern the track was changed to its current direction due to its proximity to SH1 and the approach speed to that corner.

Just to correct my own statement about the current track direction, I asked Tony Roberts the other day about the direction....Tony said it was never intented to go in the other direction. From memory he thought the speculation about the other direction came from the artists impression which showed cars travelling in the other direction for some reason.

[socram]

There are plenty of regularly large series grids currently running at Hampton Downs and it only needs the buyer to decide which are sustainable and worth inviting to premier events as a support.

If the current level of charges are maintained, then it is fairly safe to assume that entry fees should not move. MSNZ bumped up their levy from $26 to what I believe is now $50 per driver, not the tracks.

Any increase in fees generally leads to some smaller grids and with the average age of our 100+ guys getting dangerously close to pensionable age each year, most being totally unsponsored amateurs, it isn't rocket science to work out the consequences if they are upped too much.

One round of Aussie GTs in itself isn't going to make a huge difference, but has anyone asked why support classes at Highlands have dwindled? Overall, we had pretty good grids at HD this last weekend - again.

There is always a reason for diminishing grids - and we have all 'heard from several people' as to what they believe are the reasons.

Sure, HD isn't a tourist mecca and probably never will be (though there still is plenty of tourism potential), but what it does have is a massive catchment area of locals, within an easy hour's drive, something that even Taupo doesn't have. Highlands Park is hardly going to be a tourism mecca either with so few race days a year, so in that respect, finishing HD as originally planned has every opportunity of increasing income from tourists and locals alike.

[socram]

http://autoaction.com.au/tony-quinn-...04021419653102 - comments from Tony Quinn himself.

At last. A link to some truth and confirms much of what some have already been saying.