Taupo International Motorsport Park

Taupo International Motorsport Park and Events Centre (previously known as the Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park) is a motorsports circuit located in Broadlands Road, Taupō, New Zealand. It is owned by Tony Quinn who also owns Highlands Motorsport Park and Hampton Downs Motorsport Park.

Taupo Motorsport Park
Track map
International Circuit (2006)
LocationTaupō, New Zealand
Time zoneUTC+12:00
Coordinates38°39′56″S 176°8′39″E
FIA Grade3
OwnerTony Quinn (November 2021–present)
Opened1959
Former namesBruce McLaren Motorsport Park (November 2015–December 2021)
Taupo Motorsport Park (1959–November 2015)
Major eventsCurrent:
FR Oceania (2006–2019, 2023)
Toyota 86 Championship (2014, 2016–2017, 2021–present)
Racer Products V8s (2003–2008, 2010–2017, 2023)
Future:
Supercars Championship (2024)
Former:
A1GP (2007–2009)
Websitewww.tauporacetrack.co.nz
Track 1 (2008–present)
Length3.321 km (2.064 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:14.679 (Switzerland Neel Jani, Lola A1GP, 2008, A1GP)
International Circuit (2006)
Length3.500 km (2.175 miles)
Turns17
Original Circuit (1959–2006)
Length1.398 km (0.869 miles)
Turns6

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] However, the circuit is renamed Taupo International Motorsport Park, after Tony Quinn purchased the circuit in November 2021.[5]

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.[6][7] A1 Team Ireland's driver Adam Carroll commented that the track has few bumps and is technical and tight.[1]

Lap Records

The unofficial all-time track record is 1:14.072, set by Nico Hülkenberg on the qualifying of 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, New Zealand.[8] As of February 2023, the fastest official race lap records at the Taupo International Motorsport Park are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleDate
Track 1: 3.321 km (2007–present)
A1GP1:14.679[9]Switzerland Neel JaniLola A1GP20 January 2008
Toyota Racing Series1:23.357[10]India Jehan DaruvalaTatuus FT-507 February 2016
Formula Regional1:25.304[11]United States David MoralesTatuus FT-6012 February 2023
Toyota 86 Championship1:42.258[12]New Zealand Ash BlewettToyota 8627 September 2014

Notes

    References
    1. "OFFICIAL PREVIEW: Taupo". a1gp.com. 16 January 2009. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
    2. Taupo Race Track – Innovate NZ, Brochure of the '2007 ACENZ Awards of Excellence', Page 18
    3. "Motorsport: Taupo cash crisis won't hurt A1GP". a1gp.com. 8 May 2008. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
    4. "Taupo renamed after legendary Bruce McLaren". speedcafe.com. 26 November 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
    5. "New Name, Branding, and Goals Revealed for Taupo Motorsport Park". autocar.nz. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
    6. "More about the Taupo Track". downforce.co.nz. 2008. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
    7. "The Track". tauporacetrack.co.nz. 2008. Archived from the original on 12 November 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
    8. "A1GP World Cup of Motorsport 2006–07 Round 6: Taupo - Results Booklet" (PDF). Retrieved 11 December 2022.
    9. "2007–08 Round 5: Taupo A1GP World Cup of Motorsport Feature Race - Classification" (PDF). 20 January 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
    10. "2016 Denny Hulme Trophy Race Meeting - Toyota Racing Series - R15 - Race 2 Amended Result" (PDF). 7 February 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
    11. "Super Sprint MSNZ Championship Round 5 CTFROC Taupō International Track 3.500 km Race (23 Laps) started at 16:07:44" (PDF). 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
    12. "2014-2015 Toyota Finance 86 Championship 27 Sep 14 Taupo Saturday Race 1 Race Results" (PDF). 27 September 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
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