Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park
 International Circuit (2006) | |
| Location | Taupo, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC+12:00 |
| Coordinates | 38°39′56″S 176°8′39″E / 38.66556°S 176.14417°ECoordinates: 38°39′56″S 176°8′39″E / 38.66556°S 176.14417°E |
| FIA Grade | 2[N 1] |
| Owner | Tony Quinn (2021–present) |
| Opened | 1959 |
| Former names | Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park (November 2015–2021) Taupo Motorsport Park (1959–November 2015) |
| Major events | Future: Toyota Racing Series (2006–2019, 2023) Former: A1GP (2007–2009) |
| Track 1 (2007–present) | |
| Length | 3.321 km (2.064 miles) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:14.072 ( Nico Hülkenberg, Lola A1GP, 2007, A1GP) |
| International Circuit (2006) | |
| Length | 3.500 km (2.175 miles) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Original Circuit (1959–2006) | |
| Length | 1.398 km (0.869 miles) |
| Turns | 6 |
Taupo International Motorsport Park and Events Centre (previously known as the Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park) is a motorsports circuit located in Broadlands Road, Taupo, New Zealand. It is owned by Tony Quinn who also owns Highlands Motorsport Park and Hampton Downs Motorsport Park.
The circuit was an upgrade from a 1.398 km (0.869 mi) Taupo Car Club's circuit to the new 3.500 km (2.175 mi) international layout in 2006.[1] The Motorsport Park was completed in 2006 at the cost of NZ$13 million. It features driver training facilities, a motorsport business park with 13 first floor corporate suites and a second floor race control, corporate and catering complex.
History
On 21 January 2007 Taupo Motorsport Park hosted the sixth race in the 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix season and on 20 January 2008 it hosted the fifth race in the 2007–08 A1 Grand Prix season. In order to create more overtaking opportunities, a tighter chicane was introduced at the end of the straight. On 25 January 2009 Taupo Motorsport Park hosted the fourth race in the 2008–09 A1 Grand Prix season. Owing to the tight 'S' bend close to the start causing collisions in the past, the rolling start was replaced by a standing start for the 2009 event's Sprint race.[1]
The Taupo Race Track project has received a Silver Award by the Association of Consulting Engineers New Zealand, praising the high-quality delivery of the project, which was designed and constructed in tandem to achieve very tight deadlines.[2] However, on 8 May 2008 Newstalk ZB reported that the motorsport park was NZ$3 million in debt and the owners were seeking equity to help keep their business afloat. [3]
The circuit was renamed Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park on 26 November 2015, as a tribute to former Formula One driver and team owner Bruce McLaren. The renaming occurred as Taupo directors announced they would be rebuilding the circuit to maintain its FIA Grade 2 status.[4]
The circuit
The track includes four alternative configurations (consisting of 3.400 km (2.113 mi), 3.321 km (2.064 mi), 2.200 km (1.367 mi) and 1.300 km (0.808 mi)), two separate pit areas, a three-story pit lane complex with 32 ground floor pit garages that is currently under construction. The track also features an NHRA standard 830 m (2,720 ft) long, 17 m (56 ft) wide dragstrip with full capacity viewing for 10,000. The motor racing circuit has various licences ranging from National Grade 1 Motorsport Licence, FIA Grade 2 Motorsport Licence and International Motorcycling Safety Standards depending on which track configuration.[5][6] A1 Team Ireland's driver Adam Carroll commented that the track has few bumps and is technical and tight.[1]
Notes
- ^ Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park's Grade 2 licence expired 1 August 2022.
References
- ^ a b c "OFFICIAL PREVIEW: Taupo". a1gp.com. 16 January 2009. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
- ^ Taupo Race Track – Innovate NZ, Brochure of the '2007 ACENZ Awards of Excellence', Page 18
- ^ "Motorsport: Taupo cash crisis won't hurt A1GP". a1gp.com. 8 May 2008. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
- ^ "Taupo renamed after legendary Bruce McLaren". speedcafe.com. 26 November 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
- ^ "More about the Taupo Track". downforce.co.nz. 2008. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
- ^ "The Track". tauporacetrack.co.nz. 2008. Archived from the original on 12 November 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Use Australian English from September 2015
- All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English
- Use dmy dates from April 2022
- Coordinates not on Wikidata
- Official website not in Wikidata
- Motorsport venues in New Zealand
- A1 Grand Prix circuits
- Sport in Taupō
- Drag racing venues in Australasia
- Sports venues in Waikato
- 2006 establishments in New Zealand
- Sports venues completed in 2006