Feature Race: New Zealand Motor Cup

2‐5 February 2012
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, Hampton Downs

Track Information

Circuit Length – 2.63kms
Direction – Clockwise

Hampton Downs introduces an exciting innovation to New Zealand motorsport – sweeping elevations on a circuit that rises and falls away over gentle hill country in the Waikato region.

The six other permanent circuits in New Zealand are all laid out on a flat landscape.

Hampton Downs is the circuit that takes New Zealand motorsport into the 21^st century and has been designed to meet the very latest FIA circuit safety standards.

The contoured circuit with its banked corners introduces an entirely different dimension and offers spectacular viewing opportunities.

The new International circuit was completed late 2009.

The circuit was given an enthusiastic endorsement by two times TRS Champion, Daniel Gaunt after the first shakedown test of a TRS car on the circuit in December 2009.

“The elevation, the wide corners with lots of passing opportunities and the smooth surface; they all work together and in a modern single seater, the racing will be very good.”

“Sitting in the car in the pit road I was thinking I was somewhere in Europe, surrounded by the rolling hill country and it all seemed very professional.

“Out on the track there was more elevation than I expected and you really need to think about your racing lines.

“You are in sixth gear down the long front straight – just slightly slower than Puke’s back straight – and the first corner is awesome. You go down two gears and the track drops away, a bit like Paddock Hill Bend at Brand Hatch. It’s challenging and you are hard on the gas as you exit

“The slower second gear infield corners work well and then you arrive over a crest and you are braking downhill for the second gear left-handed hairpin. This is mega because you are braking on the brow and the track drops away.

Gaunt’s initial impression was that the final corner, onto the front straight, was the most difficult and challenging at Hampton Downs.

“This is where you will make up time because you are in this corner for a long time – it’s a bit like turn one at Teretonga in that respect. You need to feed in the power and keep the car well balanced.

“And then you need to think about your line for the front straight because it is wide and there are several options”

The extended Taupo circuit and Hampton Downs are the two FIA International Grade 2 circuits in New Zealand.

Click here to download the Hampton Downs – Track Guide

Event Schedule:

Thursday 2nd
Event Testing (schedule TBA)
Friday 3rd
Event Testing (schedule TBA)
Saturday 4th
11:45 Qualifying 30 minutes
15:59 Race 1 – 15 laps
Sunday 5th
11:19 Race 2 – 15 laps
15.33 Race 3 – 20 laps (New Zealand Motor Cup)