The Hampton Downs motorsport circuit is due to open in June, says Eric Thompson
KEY POINTS:
There has been rumour and innuendo floating about in regards to New Zealand's newest race track and motorsport park, Hampton Downs, just south of the Bombay Hills off State Highway 1.
I took the opportunity to call in recently to see exactly what was going on and how
much the track had progressed.
Not only was a full update provided by managing director Tony Roberts and chief executive Jamie Kett, Roberts also drove the track explaining things as he went along.
"First I want to quash any rumour the development has ground to a halt or any such other stuff. A substantial amount of funding is now in place to complete the circuit and the facilities," said Roberts.
"All 80 apartments have been completed and sold and we're getting ready to remove the preload from the circuit and start putting down the race surface."
In the past three months the apartments have been finished, water tanks constructed, fibre optic cables installed, electricity lines strung and huge wastewater tanks embedded in the ground. The lifestyle blocks are now ready for titles to be issued and the company has named another road into the area, Chris Amon Drive joining Graham McRae Place. The main road into the industrial area is to be called Scott Dixon Drive.
Work on the 12 industrial units by the main entrance is about to start. The units are situated on Hampton Downs Rd adjacent to the main entrance. On the other side, construction will begin shortly on the gatehouse and communications building. This building will service all the communications needs of the park, act as accommodation for the manager for the rental of the apartments and monitor entry into the complex.
The Springhill Corrections facility is bolting together the tyre barriers and some of the bundles they have produced are being stored in the carpark behind the apartments. There are 36,000 car tyres and 11,000 truck tyres being used as barriers around the circuit.
"Provided we have a reasonable lengthy spell of fine weather, we are now taking definite bookings as from June 1," said Roberts. "If the weather is really kind to us, we may be able to use the track for some testing etc in May, but unless the weather turns nasty we are confident the national 2.8km version of the circuit will be ready for use as from June 1."
The circuit work now being done is the hub of the whole racing complex - the pits, race control, circuit hairpin and hospitality/pit garages area, which is not so visible from the highway, has to be prepared, and that has meant literally moving mountains of earth to form the basis of the whole complex. The final big job will be digging out and installing the large under-track tunnel that will lead from the outside of the circuit into the pits and control area.
A twin-road tunnel is under construction measuring 4.5m by 3.5m, large enough to take trucks in and out, and a 2.5m by 2.5m pedestrian tunnel alongside. There are 40 sections of the large tunnel and 20 sections of the pedestrian tunnel. Total weight is over 800 tonnes of concrete. Construction of the tunnels began in December and is scheduled to finish in February, and then the track can be laid over the top and the racing circuit surface completed. "Installing the tunnel is not a major project with the machinery on site - it is all the surrounds that will take time - then it's on to the pit/administration area, the guard rails and tyre barriers to protect this area in particular, and then all the safety mesh fencing along the front straight," said Roberts.
"All the Armco barriers are now on-site, as are about half the barriers made from bundles of a total of 30,000 tyres. All this is timed to be ready when we have finished the major earthworks. Then we can start on the rest of the critical areas like the pit road, its entry and exit, the control tower, and then gradually the 30 pit garages with corporate facilities above them.
"In February, we will start to skim off the pre-load and begin the process of metalling parts of the track, mainly to improve access for the on-site workers who have to install the safety walls, barriers, bundles of tyres and the kerbing and run-off ripple strips.
"This will also give time for the tarmac to 'settle and cure'. It is our priority to get the 2.8km national circuit fully operational as a track with all safety barriers and operational features in place by June 1. Then, as weather permits [remembering we are heading into winter again] we will complete the full international circuit."
Planning for future events is well advanced. The Historic Racing Club has had a great response to their advance notice of the Bruce McLaren Festival in January 2010. A large number of McLaren owners from around the world have indicated they wish to attend this event.
There will be an all Can-Am grid of sports cars and full fields of F5000, Formula Junior and Tasman Formula cars are expected at this meeting. The HRC has also had a lot of enquiry from NZ and Australian-built specials, so expect some interesting fields.
Hampton Downs has also been approached by a number of world and Asian motor racing series. It's a case of "build a great facility and they will come".
The other business at Hampton Downs is corporate - from circuit hire to major event entertainment and hospitality. Kett has 27 years in the hospitality and entertainment business and recognised from very early on what an outstanding events and activity facility Hampton Downs will become.
The first part of the hospitality activity will be the opening of the Motor Lodge early next year. The lodge is made up of apartments that have been put into the pool by owners who do not wish to live on-site and would like to realise a return from their investment.
Additional information: Hampton Downs Motorsport Park.
