Hampton Downs is Sold

[Just Do It!]

Saturday and Sunday aren't the only alleged issues, of course. It was meant in the context of general event activity during the week

[Goat Boy]

I think it's fantastic news. The logical move would be for V8SC to move there once they finish their current contract to run at Puke. They won't get any support from ATEED, mind you, but with a circuit of the calibre of the completed HD you would have to say it's almost a no-brainer.

The biggest challenge for this though is getting spectators in without clogging the motorway - an off-site park and ride would make a lot of sense (free shuttle bus with your event ticket), plus a temporary train station and run special event trains down and back from both Auckland and Hamilton (hell, you could even do one to Tauranga) it could work.

There has also been talk of the World Superbikes coming in the past, not to mention Tony's links to the Aussie GT's - I'd love to see some of that action down there!

[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

[samzbob]

You would probably have to change the run offs at the current turns 2-3 as they are designed for clockwise running. Also Turn 4 exit is an odd shape and would have a weird entry too. Plug the undulation of the hairpin might need looking at?

Dont see the problem with the current layout, Turn 1 is still quick ish with a fast turn in and requries commitment, as with the last corner with its lake braking and hold on as the car finds some sort of grip to lean on.

I dont think making it anti clockwise would make it any more fun.

[The Realist]

Looks from the media reports that Hampton Downs has now been sold. Will it still be available to use as before? What will change?

[Goat Boy]

Quinn excited by Hampton Downs potential - 5/06/2015


Tony Quinn gives us the low-down on his vision for Hampton Downs

Quinn excited by Hampton Downs’ potential to complement Highlands

Tony Quinn, the owner of Highlands Motorsport Park, is excited about seeing the full potential of his recently-acquired Hampton Downs facility realised over the next 16 months, and how it will complement his existing motorsport venue in Central Otago.

Quinn confirms that the purchase of the north Waikato race track and its surrounding 150 hectares was completed on 2 June as scheduled and is already progressing plans to undertake a number of projects which will see the facility completed as per its original plans and re-launched with a major international event in November 2016.



The image shows Hampton Downs’ co-founder Tony Roberts (left) with new owner Tony Quinn.

“I’ve been sharing some of my plans with Hampton’s managing director Tony Roberts, operations manager Gary Stirling, and business and marketing manager Claire Gullidge, who are all staying in their existing roles for at least six months,” Quinn says. “What I’ve asked them to do over the next week or so is write down all the things we should be doing that will make a practical benefit to the park, its operation, and look and feel, so we can get all these things going.”

Quinn then intends to have tender documents produced fairly quickly for the bigger projects, such as the construction of corporate suites and a control tower above the pit-lane garages, a go-kart track, a second skid pan and a track extension which will add a kilometre to the existing 2.8km layout, so quotes can be obtained and contracts issued over the winter for work to start in spring.

“There are four or five different projects which can all be tackled by different contractors at the same time without affecting the day-to-day track operation. There’ll be a flurry of activity when spring sets in and I expect a fair bit of finished work by Christmas and into early New Year.

“There are a couple of important things I want people to be clear on. Firstly, I don’t want people to confuse Hampton Downs with Highlands. Highlands is a totally separate business model to Hampton’s – Highlands is a tourist venue that caters to tourists year round with a small number of high profile motorsport events each year. Hampton Downs is an absolute flat-out race track. It’s used 330 days of the year for racing, corporate days, testing and the like. That will continue.

“Secondly, the track is absolutely open for business now and will continue to be; nothing’s going to change. Anyone that’s got a booking now, that’s fine. All the projects we’re doing are outside the normal day-to-day operation of the track, but people will start to see the new facilities being completed and used as we head into next year and the GT extravaganza we have planned as the park’s re-launch in November 2016.”

Quinn stresses his desire to complete Hampton Downs the way it was originally intended to create a world-class motorsport park that complements Highlands.

“I was excited, like everyone else, when Hampton Downs was first talked about and Chris Watson and Tony Roberts embarked on this ambitious plan to build a fantastic facility on the outskirts of Auckland, in the rolling hills of North Waikato. It seemed like an idyllic project within easy reach of Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton. I want to finish it properly and it’s going to be an exciting project.”

“In about 16 months’ time it’s going to be a truly fantastic facility to visit and there’s no doubt that Hampton Downs and Highlands are going to be the two best tracks in New Zealand. If we have any international categories here, it would be sensible to expose them to fans at both Hampton and Highlands.

“Already we’ve told our Highlands’ members that they are most welcome to use Hampton Downs as one of their membership privileges, and we will also introduce memberships at Hampton Downs that will give members certain privileges including access to a pretty fancy members’ lounge where members and their partners can mix and mingle and enjoy the premier status of being a member.

“There’s another thing to remember – Claire has a great saying that Hampton Downs is a friendly track. Everyone’s got different things that they want to do at the circuit, and the role of Hampton’s staff and the facility itself is be friendly and accommodate what people want to do.

“We just ran a competition in Australia amongst our 900 staff asking them to give us some ideas what we should do with some of the facilities – it was amazing, we got about 40 fantastic ideas that we’re now working on. We want to listen to people’s suggestions for Hampton Downs, so what we’re saying to people and to staff tell us what you think would be a good idea, what would work, if it’s practical and doable, we’ll do it.”

More news about the developments at Hampton Downs will be shared on the park’s website www.hamptondowns.com and Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/hamptondowns in coming months.

[BackSeat Driver]

Go-Kart track!
As in Hire-karts, or a proper Kartsport approved circut?
I was quite disapointed when the Highlands circut was Hire karts only.
Hampton could easily get the visting competitors from Hamilton and Avondale.

[Goat Boy]

I think the original plan was to attract as many facets of the motorsport fraternity as possible, so yes competitive kart racing was always on the cards. I can't imagine Tony Q wanting to change that.

[Alpina107]

Originally Posted by BackSeat Driver

Go-Kart track!
As in Hire-karts, or a proper Kartsport approved circut?
I was quite disapointed when the Highlands circut was Hire karts only.
Hampton could easily get the visting competitors from Hamilton and Avondale.

Hamilton already has a great circuit out by the airport and whilst the two current Auckland circuits are not as new or sophisticated as Hamilton, there is a brand-new circuit being built at Manukau that will be up to international standard. http://www.kartsport.org.nz/about-us...on-new-complex

On that basis, I think a tourist/recreational facility would be more appropriate at HD. BTW: Shifter karts (125 & 250cc) already race on the current HD circuit (lapping within a few seconds of a V8ST) and they would probably enjoy the 1.2km club circuit that will come with the HD extension.

[Goat Boy]

They are amazingly quick those karts aren't they?

I have promised my son that if he does well in his NCEA this year we will build up a go-kart for him...

[socram]

I wish I was ten years younger...

Delighted that our support for HD (and Chris and Tony) well before day 1 has been vindicated and what was looking a bit dodgy at times, now has a great future.
Our solicitor merely said at apartment signing time, back in 2008, "Do you trust these guys and have confidence in them?"
"Yes" and "yes".

Do I have confidence in Tony Quinn's plans and ability to achieve his objectives? "Yes" and " Yes".

As for keeping the track clockwise, as it stands it offers an exhilarating drive (certainly the current National track), and I really don't think the same could be said if raced in the opposite 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]

We bought off the plans and the sketch. I remember Chris Watson saying that when they changed the direction, after we had signed up for a unit, he was dreading my response!

We also expected a swimming pool, gymnasium and tennis court, so hopefully, included in Tony's plans, the motel complex will be completed, making it a more attractive place to stay, particularly for wives and family who may not be so keen on the racing.

As it happens, I think that the view of cars leaping over the hill, through turn three and also dropping into the second hairpin, has given me and I suspect, many others, some of the best action photographs in their respective collections. If the track was reversed, great photo opportunities would have been lost along with much of the spectator appeal. Most views, if the track was reversed, would have been the backs of cars entering corners instead of the fronts of cars leaving them.

[NZSTfan]

Originally Posted by socram

As it happens, I think that the view of cars leaping over the hill, through turn three and also dropping into the second hairpin, has given me and I suspect, many others, some of the best action photographs in their respective collections. If the track was reversed, great photo opportunities would have been lost along with much of the spectator appeal. Most views, if the track was reversed, would have been the backs of cars entering corners instead of the fronts of cars leaving them.

Couldn't agree more Socram. I am not a photographer at all, but the visual aspect of those corner combo's you mention is spot on. For me, its the dive in to T1, and the exit of T3 where you really get an idea of a cars true grip. I also like the visual of cars accelerating towards the sweeper. Super fast cars look out of this world as they disappear towards SH1. Stand on the edge of pitlane looking down towards T5 (hairpin with elevation drop) and watching the cars drop under brakes, and then take a high line in is testament to a well set up machine.

It's funny isn't it. HD at this point is just 6 or 7 corners (however you look at it), but each one is so special and flows on to the next one in a common sense way that this short and snappy 'lil track is just awesome. I can only hope that the extension carries on with the same 'feel' of HD

[socram]

I might be a lone voice here, but my expectation is that the current National Track will still be a better driver's track for those of us with slower cars and possibly even a better photographer's track, than the extended circuit.

[Goat Boy]

That may well be the case Ray, it's probably really only going to get used for whatever big international events come their way. Club racing and historic and the like would not really benefit from the extra length as most of it will be away from the crowds.

[mikuni]

Originally Posted by socram

I might be a lone voice here, but my expectation is that the current National Track will still be a better driver's track for those of us with slower cars and possibly even a better photographer's track, than the extended circuit.

Agreed, and the long track gets rid of my favourite corner, the only that transitions into another - turn 2 and 3.

But, the same can be said for Taupo, where track 2 is arguably peoples favourite and my favourite section on that is the sweeper into the chicane and then left hander onto the back straight. Everything but the sweeper is gone with the longer track 1 or 4 setup.

The biggest benefit at Hampton Downs is not only the longer International grade track, but also the ability to run a second small track when the national circuit is run. It looks like quite a fun little club circuit.

[Trevor NZ]

All of this brings to mind ---- was the shortening and deletion of the original Pukekohe circuit a mistake?

[bluespur]

the pukekohe circuit alterations have not shortened the circuit - in fact it is now a little longer, it also has not deleted the old circuit as this still has a licence

I think that the new configuration is a lot better, provided a couple of additional passing moves, reduces the breaking and frequently resulting accidents at hairpin. All in all I think that more exiting racing is provided by this track and still retains to power approach.

what I am not happy about is the move of starting podium to outside of the circuit. this is a lot harder to see any flag signals against the background of the crowd - proven by a huge number of inquiries and situations where people have missed flags etc.

Also not keen on the amount of concrete around the circuit - it is an overkill and is now very difficult to see single seaters and low cars on the back straight. believe the fencing and concrete was necessary for crowd safety in front straight but that is all - bet if it was not available from Hamilton would not have had the level installed.

[mikuni]

I think he means the old 3.5km circuit from many years back.

[Trevor NZ]

Originally Posted by mikuni

I think he means the old 3.5km circuit from many years back.

Yes the "original" circuit which amounted to a true road circuit and not a track.

[bluespur]

Long time since 3.5 circuit used. Suggest that there are a majority of current competitors have never used it and a fair number would not even know about it.

[Mark Petch]

Originally Posted by bluespur

Long time since 3.5 circuit used. Suggest that there are a majority of current competitors have never used it and a fair number would not even know about it.

Agreed Bluespur, one of the last times it was used, was for the final Benson and Hedges 500 race in 1986 which was won by Gianfranco Brancatelli and Allan Grice driving my ex works, FAG sponsored BMW M3.

I raced the car the following year, but on the shortened circuit, so that would have been sometime in 1987 that the switch was made permanently.

The problem with the original circuit was that that the cars disappeared from the spectators sitting in the main grandstands for at least 25 seconds, before re-appearing down the short straight into "Railway"

The original circuit was really tough on brakes back in the days of drum rear's and the lack of dual braking systems back then!