New Zealands Newest Race Track

[captain crescent]

From the Motorsport NZ news



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Highlands Motorsport Park has advanced leaps and bounds recently, hitting each ambitious milestone since inception and ready for its soft launch in January 2013.

Newly appointed manager Mike Sentch says it’s shaping up to be as spectacular as any race facility in the world.

“There’s a misconception among some people that it’s just a track for Tony Quinn and his mates – that’s not the case,” explains Sentch.

“Basically, it’s a ‘golf country club’ for motorsport, where members will pay fees and have access to an array of fantastic facilities.

“Because we can divide the circuit into three tracks, members will have access to a track 300 days a year.”

The circuit will feature three premier motorsport meetings in the next year, after its launch at Easter.

Sentch said there have already been streams of interest in the track from a wide spectrum of organisations, including talks with tyre and car manufacturers.

“Part of the track is designed as a tear drop, which is ideal for testing fuel efficiency, and filtration on engines.”

“We’ve also had film and advertisement companies come forward. It’s perfect for filming, because it’s a controlled environment, so you don’t have to close roads.”

Their 30-car museum is almost complete and will feature Tony Quinn’s Targa-conquering Nissan Skyline. The museum can also be used for corporate events and conferences.

The track itself is about a month away from sealing and Gasoline Alley – the members’ garaging area – is also getting the good oil laid on.

“We’re not just catering for Motorsport,” says Stench. “If you’ve got a nice road car and you want somewhere to put it through its paces, this is the place to let her rip.

“The facility will also be family friendly, with the restaurant, members’ lounge, mini-putt course in the shape of Bathurst and g-kart track all under way.

“There’s even interest in building apartments above the garages in the pit lane – opportunities have been popping up weekly.”

“The local community have been behind us 100%. We’ve tried to use as many local contractors as possible and they’ve all done a wonderful job.”

[roytarolla]

Noticed on our event calender for next year (Queenstown car club) theres a club trackday at the new track in there on 15 May. Definatley looking forward to that.

[VR-4Squid]

“There’s a misconception among some people that it’s just a track for Tony Quinn and his mates – that’s not the case,” explains Sentch.

“Basically, it’s a ‘golf country club’ for motorsport, where members will pay fees and have access to an array of fantastic facilities.

So it doesn't matter if you aren't mates with Tony Quinn, as long as you have a shitload of money to pay the joining fee?

[matt dunn]

Went and had a look at thier open day last week,

looking good,

Did not walk the whole track though as the kids wouldn't have handled the 4.4km ish walk.

got a good pic of the bridge without the other 500 people there though,



Big track, does a couple of runs into the trees off to the far right,

[2jayzgte]

WOW ..That looks awesome.

Gonna be a good facility that one hope all the politics are soughted with regards to running events at this track are ironed out.

[diss7]

I've always wanted to live in Central Otago but one of the biggest deal breaker was no local race track. Could see myself living down there in the next 5 years now.

[Mr Ree]

I read today that they have announced that there will be 80 "founders" memberships, with a joining fee of $25,000, plus annual fees of $4500 per year.

[GDII]

A new video of Tony Quinn driving his BMW M3 around the track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBpLUqislpE

[Mr Revhead]

Already got my accommodation booked for the 1st race meet!

[loudstealthGT-Four]

Hoping to be a marshall/first response for the first race meet, will see if I get in the local team.

[fangsport]

Already got my accommodation booked for the 1st race meet!

top and tailing with your mate Petchy ??

[Al]

[Mr Revhead]

Already got my accommodation booked for the 1st race meet!

top and tailing with your mate Petchy ??

Lol I have doubts about him being there

[MrOizo]

http://www.3news.co.nz/Tony-Quinns-petr ... fault.aspx

[strx7]

http://www.3news.co.nz/Tony-Quinns-petrolhead-heaven/tabid/367/articleID/291881/Default.aspx

is that an aston martin i spy on fluro orange rims in the background behind the mclaren... bet it sings a merry tune

[Mr Revhead]

He owns at least one DB9R

[strx7]

He owns at least one DB9R

I feel sorry for him, he should gift it to me

[SkylineObsession]

Anyone else going to the grand opening this weekend? We'll be there on Sat.

[SkylineObsession]

viewtopic.php?p=927447

[Willdat?]

So I'm down in Wanaka for the next week or so, checked out the museum yesterday and it is pretty ridiculously awesome. My wife suggested I try the YourLaps/ FastLaps as an early 30th birthday present...

www.fastlaps.co.nz

Sweet you say, do it, well a quick googling threw up this option...

edit: only available on a few days a year for this idea

http://www.freemanxsupercars.co.nz/quee ... ck-drives/

Ferrari F430 through some outfit called Freemanx that you get to drive yourself. Has anyone had any experience of these sort of things and is it worth doing?