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Visiting day at the Park!!
On the last Sunday of every month tours will be taken of the facility between 1.00 -3.00 pm. The first tour will be April 27th. See you there!
Apartment owners, Richard & Mavis McCarthy, with site Manager Murray Edwards checking out their apartment!!
MEDIA RELEASE
SUPERBIKES COME TO WAIKATO IN 2010
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park has recently won a bid to host a round of the SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.
Hampton Downs CEO, Jamie Kett, said it was a fantastic international series and a major sporting and tourism boost for New Zealand.
The SuperBike World Championship has 15 international rounds from late February to mid October. The New Zealand leg will be staged a week after the Phillip Island round in Australia in late February. Each round has four race classes with 140 riders from 27 countries participating.
Mr Kett said that Hampton Downs had negotiated the rights to hold for event from 2010 for a minimum of 3 years. The SuperBike World Championship has a worldwide media audience of more than two billion people.
"The benefits for the Waikato region are huge. Over three years it is expected to bring in about $75million in foreign spending to New Zealand.
This is the first major coup for Hampton Downs and we are very excited. Coming on the back of the Australian V8 Supercars in Hamilton, the region is firmly established as the Motorsport capital of New Zealand," he said.
Waikato District Council Mayor Peter Harris said the winning of the series was a brilliant opportunity for the region and the Motorsport park. "This is a very popular event and the flow-on effects for the district and the city will be significant. We will continue to work closely with the park regarding the consent process," he said.
Quotes:
· Claude Danis
"My role within the FIM is to ensure the safety and fairness of motorcycle racing throughout the world. I recently meet with Jamie Kett in Qatar to discuss the Hampton Downs Circuit design and the possibility of a round of the SBK World Championship being held there. As long as the circuit satisfies all the safety requirements I would fully support their proposal and I am very excited with the prospects of SBK returning to New Zealand"
Claude Danis
President Road Racing Commission
Federation International Motorcycle (FIM)
T +41 22 9509500
E cl.dan@skynet.be
www.fim.ch
· Paolo Flammini
"New Zealand and the Superbike World Championship are old friends.
The Manfield track has been a traditional World SBK venue in the first years of our adventure and riders like Aaron Slight and Simon Crafar have been the protagonists of some of the most beautiful pages in the Superbike World Championship history.
We all at FGSport welcome the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park initiative and look forward to give the Kiwi fans a new opportunity to "touch" the WSBK world."
Paolo Flammini
Chief Executive Officer
Headquarter: Rome
Phone: +39 06 50966403
Fax: +39 06 50966460
Email: paolo.flammini@fgsport.com
www.fgsport.com
· Paolo Ciabatti
"It has been a real pleasure to meet with Hampton Downs MotorSport Park representative in Qatar and I really hope that WSBK will be coming soon to NZ."
Paolo Ciabatti
SBK General Manager
Headquarter: Rome
Phone: +39 06 50966403
Fax: +39 06 50966460
Email: paolo.flammini@fgsport.com
www.fgsport.com
· Sandra Perry
Sandra Perry MNZ President commented that is was a worthwhile experience attending Round One of 2008 World Superbike Championship Round at Losail circuit Qatar to see first hand the huge growth and improvement since the Championships inception in 1988 when New Zealand hosted the inaugural final round at Manfeild.
Motorcycling New Zealand look forward to the event 'returning home' to Hampton Downs in 2010 remembering it was approved by the Federation Internationale Motocyclisme in 1987 as New Zealand's idea.
Sandra Perry
President
Motorcycling New Zealand
m 021849901
e sandraperry@hotmail.com
w www.mnz.co.nz
SBK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Se attached 2008 SBK Marketing Guide for complete details.
For more information please contact;
Jamie Kett
CEO
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park
00 64 9 520 7841
00 64 274 430 800
Jamie@hamptondowns.com
www.hamptondowns.com
1/2/08, The preloading of the lower part of the circuit is now complete and the next stage of the earthworks begins on monday. Fill will be removed from the car park hills, the central part of the circuit and in levelling the camping ground area. The final shaping of the circuit earthworks will be acheived in the next 4 months and it will be at that time that the full circuit will be able to be driven around, though still with the preload in place. Most of this fill will be spread throughout the Business Park area for its full development in 2009.
Howden Ganley, New Zealands F1 driver of the 1970's, visited Hampton Downs in December and was most complimentary about the total project. He commented "that there does not seem to be a chink in the armour anywhere". A great endorsement from Howden, as former President of the BRDC who owns and operates Silverstone where the British F1 GP is held.
We have been asked repeatedly about the A1GP moving to Hampton Downs after its agreement runs out with Taupo. Our answer to all of these event based questions in this. The circuit owners, Tony Roberts and Chris Watson set out to build the best possible circuit facillity that they could in the expectation that the events would then come to such a world class venue. Both men do not want to poach events, or try to take events of existing facillities, but will look at other opportunities as they arise.
ING backing for Classic Motorsport starts at Hampton Downs with the Classic Trial Championship
Giltrap Toyota Support Hampton Downs with a new Hilux for CEO Jamie Kett.
Very successful Open Day For Hampton Downs Associates.
Over 300 people attended the limited invitation open day at the Hampton Downs circuit last weekend. The weather was great and the enthusiasm for the project is tremendous. Three vehicles carried out continuous trips around the circuit.
The Construction Season is Underway
19/10/07
The walls of the Amon apartment block are going up at a tremendous rate and when all four apartment blocks are constructed there will be 400 metres of apartments dominating the skyline. Foster Construction Ltd are building the apartments on a rolling basis, they complete the foundations and walls of each block before moving on to the next one. Another team of workers then starts to build in the apartment, while a further team follows behind to paint, tile, carpet etc. This means that the Chris Amon block will be finished first, followed by the Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme and Howden Ganley blocks. The granting of the titles will follow up on the completion of the blocks.
The Race Track
The preloading of the track areas and run-off areas is nearing completion. Preloading is the carefully calculated overloading of the ground with excess clay to gain maximum compression of the soft ground, so that when it is removed the ground has undergone approximately 95% of primary consolidation. The Geotech boffins tell us that they expect the secondary consolidation to be approx 50mm over the next 50 years. This is four times better than normal road building specifications that allow for 100mm over 25 years. Over this summer you will see further earthworks to complete the shaping of the circuit, Pit Paddock area and car parks.
Industrial Units
Work will start on the twelve industrial units early next year. The new East West alignment will provide a warmer Northerly aspect for the units, a view towards the track and a large car park right in front. Owners will have the opportunity to change the frontage of the unit to a more retail look if they choose.
Jamie Kett – New CEO
Jamie Kett has now joined us full time in our enlarged Remuera offices as the CEO of the Motorsport Park. Jamie has the ideal background for the role, having recently come from managing New Zealand’s largest hospitality group. Jamie is also a die hard petrol head, being the President of the Manawatu Car Club, Race Commissioner for Motorsport New Zealand, a Clerk of the Course and promoter of the NZV8 Ute Racing Series. He has also purchased a lifestyle block at Hampton Downs for he and his family to be right on the spot to manage the Park.
Bill Ritchie – HRC Race Organiser
Many of your know Bill through his role as Clerk of the Course at our race meetings. Recently Bill has joined us to develop the Historic Racing Clubs meetings with the potential of Hampton Downs in mind. Bill has a vast amount of knowledge in the running and promotion of race meetings and we are very fortunate to have him on board. The Historic Racing Club will be the licence holder for Hampton Downs Motorsport Park.
Lifestyle Blocks
Subdivision consent has been granted and Ross Reid Ltd have started to build the almost one kilometre of roading into the lifestyle blocks. There are still two blocks available for sale, so if you know anyone that wants to be in petrol head heaven, please let them know!
The Business/Industrial Park
The Park is adjacent to the back straight of the circuit with half the lots having the potential to build with a view of the track. There are 20 lots for sale ranging in size from 4100 m² to 29,000 m². Most of the lots are approx 5000 m², which would have great potential for multiple units involved in Motorsport. These units can contain accommodation, so will be very attractive to many people. There is further information on the website www.hamptondowns.com, or contact Tony Roberts directly.
Racetrack Completion
Our expectation is to start with small events and usage of the track towards the end of 2008 and then move into full blown events in 2009. There are many systems and a range of facilities to test in the early stages and we want to ensure that Hampton Downs raises the bar and meets everyone’s expectations. We have one chance to get it right, so we will ensure that we do!
Sales of Business/Industrial Park Lots Have Started!
Craig Corliss and Craig Rendle (pictured below with Tony Roberts) are the first to put their money on the table with the purchase of Lot 17 next to the central square. The "Craig's" have plans for a mixture of uses for their lot. This includes retail shops, professional rooms, a Tavern with a large Sports Bar & track veiwing and cafes & restaurants. There are also another 4 - 5 sales pending at the moment and much interest in the whole Business Park. For smaller industries requiring a unit at Hampton Downs please get in touch with Tony Roberts, as we have builders looking for what prospective tenant's require. Remember that these sites will begin building in early 2009, so there is plenty of time to plan your move to Hampton Downs. August 24, 2007
Ssangyong at Hampton Downs.
Ssangyong's Australasian Chairman, Russell Burling is keen to be associated with the new Hampton Downs Motorsport Park and has supplied Hampton Downs Managing Director, Tony Roberts, with a new Kyron 4x4 at a favourable rate. Hampton Downs will require a considerable number of vehicles and Ssangyong, with their Mercedes common rail diesels and automatics will be certainly be the 4 x 4 of choice. Tony Roberts is impressed with the Ssangyong and recommends trying one if you are in the 4x4 market.
Tony Roberts & Russell Burling at Lifestyle Vehicles in Greenlane. August 20, 2007
Track Water. Many people have commented on the amount of water captured in the 'sweeper' corner by the Motorway, so we just want to advise people that this not how the track will look when it is finished. At the moment the track level is approx 2.5 metres above the surrounding flat land for pre-loading and is also holding water for sediment control. When completed, the track will be approx 1.0 metre above the flat land, but have an 80 metre wide 'footprint'. I hope this calms the concerns! August 2007
 
Pictures of T.A.C.C.O.C members planting the entire northern bounday to Hampton Downs Motorsport Park. This area will be knowen as the TACCOC garden and will certainly ensure they get the prime dates for meetings at the new facility. July 2007.
Allan Curry has also donated funds for planting on the eastern boundry which will be known as the Allan Curry Garden. Allan's only condition was he was not responsible for weeding his garden.
Note the New Page - Motorsport Properties For Sale! There is a superb lifestyle block overlooking the track with garaging for 8 cars. Great house too. This would really suit a car enthusiast - check it out. (This is not ours, simply a good opportunity for a petrolhead).
Also Check out our new web page 'Construction Updates' for recent photographs of the track build.
Directors Tony Roberts & Chris Watson and Waikato District Council Mayor, Peter Harris.
23/2/07
The Earth Moves At Hampton Downs!
The first sod was moved by Mayor Peter Harris on Friday 23/2/07 at 2pm. This was the start of the first new track in New Zealand for 30 years. Jonny Reid (NZ A1GP Driver and son of Clayton Reid the contractor) fired up the Motorscraper and cut the first slice. Approximately 90 people, mainly apartment, lifestyle block and apartment purchasers, enjoyed the 'sod turning' ceremony at Hampton Downs. There was also an excellent turnout of nearby neighbours who enjoyed the occassion.
Tony and Chris would like to thank the Motorsport community for all their support over the last few years.
Media release - February 1 2007
Hampton Downs Contractor Appointed
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park has appointed Ross Reid Ltd as contractor for stage one of the earthworks to begin the process of constructing the motorsport park in the northern Waikato region.
Hampton Downs directors, Tony Roberts and Chris Watson, made the long awaited announcement today that the initial earthworks tender of approx 220,000 cubic metres of cut and fill to start building the circuit had been let. This is the first of eight stages in the motorsport park build.
Clayton Reid, managing director of Ross Reid Ltd and father of A1GP star, Jonny Reid, said that he was delighted to have gained the contract and to be working on such an exciting international motorsport complex.
“To build the first entirely new circuit in New Zealand in thirty years is a real privilege,” he said.
Hampton Downs managing director, Tony Roberts, said that the aim is to have the land cleared of fences and troughs within two weeks and then to bring in the heavy earthmoving equipment.
“There will be a low key “sod turning” ceremony just to mark the occasion before Ross Reid Ltd get on with the real action,” he says.
Roberts and Watson are delighted that all the uncertainty of the resource consent hearings is now out of the way and there is a clear path of action ahead. Motorsport fans will be able to see the track taking shape over the next eighteen months and will be able to start track usage in October 2008.
January 18, 2007 - The appeal period for the land use resource consents has now passed and no appeals have been received by Waikato District Council or Environment Waikato.
Press Release - November 30th 2006 Resource consent granted for Hampton Downs
At 11.00am today, the Waikato District Council announced the granting of Resource Consent for the building of the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, situated two kilometres south of Meremere in the North Waikato. It has taken two and a half years to get resource consent since the Hampton Downs concept was introduced to the public in mid 2004.
“We never doubted for a moment that we would succeed, but the RMA costs have been ‘horrendous’”, says Tony Roberts, managing director of the Hampton Downs project.
“Years of extensive consultation with neighbours and affected parties have enabled people to understand the proposal and most have been very supportive of the economic and social benefits that the Motorsport Park will bring to the region,” says Roberts.
This new $120 million Motorsport Park has been eagerly awaited by the New Zealand motorsport fraternity and features many advanced features such as sealed run-off areas that are usually found at Formula One circuits.
The placement of the Motorsport Park next to a prison and a landfill was carefully chosen so as to give as wide a “buffer” area as possible to residential areas.
Roberts and fellow Hampton Downs director, Chris Watson, believe that the Park will serve as a catalyst for development in the North Waikato.
“The Motorsport Park will bring an estimated $35 million into the North Waikato region each year and when completed the Park will employ between 300 – 400 people,” says Roberts.
The 150 hectare site will feature two motorsport circuits, a skid pan for driver training, trackside apartments, restaurant, convention centre, showrooms, swimming pool and tennis court. Situated down the back straight of the circuit is a 170,000 square metre industrial park, with an area for motorised recreation alongside. There are 15 lifestyle blocks looking eastwards towards the circuit and the whole 150 hectares then becomes a ‘petrol head paradise’!
The completion of Hampton Downs will further add to the Waikato region’s claim that it is the motorsport centre of New Zealand as it will also host the International Rally of New Zealand at Mystery Creek and the Hamilton V8 street race.
“I would like to express my thanks to the Waikato District Council for the professional manner in which they have assisted us to smooth the passage and granting of this resource consent.
“It is remarkable that in the euphoria of stadium proposals, no government assistance or funding to build this proposed Motorsport Park has been forthcoming,” comments Roberts.
For further information, please contact:
Tony Roberts, Managing Director,
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park Ltd,
PO Box 28 140
Remuera,
Auckland.
Tel: (09) 520 7841; Mobile: 021 1332 895
tony@hamptondowns.com www.hamptondowns.com NEWS
Rugby Stadium Vs Hampton Downs!!
While we might applaud the Government for having the foresight to fund a stadium as a focal point on Auckland’s waterfront, we feel we should raise the following issues;
1. Why is over $500 million dollars of tax payer money being spent on a Rugby Stadium for largely a one-off event? Remember that while Rugby enjoys a high profile in New Zealand, it doesn’t really rate on the world sporting front. In comparison Motorsport has an extremely high profile world wide. Motorsport has the highest spectator viewing figures in the world, yet no tax payer funding is provided to enable a world class Motorsport venue to be built. Petrol heads pay taxes too!!
2. The Hampton Downs complex south of Auckland is privately funded and has not received any Government assistance. To the contrary, during the long drawn out process of resource consent (3 Years), it has been continually opposed by the Government departments of Corrections and Transit at a bill to the taxpayer of well over $500,000. Ministers of the Crown have offered positive words for the project, but have at no time offered any financial support or regional assistance.
3. It is interesting to note that the Waikato District Council is very helpful as they can see the positive benefits of the project for the region. Why can’t the Government? Hampton Downs is a rare public facility that is being built by the private sector for the benefit of ratepayers and the country as a whole. Remember that Hampton Downs is dedicated to improving driving standards by being used by the driving schools during the week. What will the Rugby stadium do during the week and what will it improve?
4. How can the Government bypass its own Resource Management Act in the name of expediency when a project such as Hampton Downs has taken three years to grind through the process? Either the RMA applies to everyone, or it should be streamlined to get the job done efficiently. From our experience, trying to get Resource Consent for the Rugby Stadium would be an impossible task. The traffic issues alone would be insurmountable. Where are the spectators going to park? By making this decision the Government is admitting the resource management act is unworkable for large projects.
All we want is fair deal, what's good enough for Rugby should be good enough for the Motorsport community. There are too many under utilised stadiums now without adding another white elephant on a prime site.
Chris Watson & Tony Roberts,
November 2006 The final day of the Resource Management hearing was held on the 8/11/06.The Council decision is expected 29th November 2006. The hearing went very well with agreement between the parties on many outstanding issues.
October 2006 At the request of the Corrections Dept the hearing has now been rescheduled for 8/11/06. All traffic issues have now been resolved and we are working on final draft of the conditions for consideration by Corrections Dept management.
September 2006 At the request of the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park directors in consultation with Transit and Corrections the hearing will recovene on the 25th October 2006. The traffic issues are being resolved and we look forward to a positive outcome on the 25th October 2006.
July 2006 Further frustrations for Hampton Downs
A frustrating week for the directors of Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, has resulted in the Waikato District Council hearing panel adjourning the hearing until September 20th, due to opposition from Transit New Zealand and the Corrections department.
The first two days of the hearing had been extremely positive, with huge support from the motorsport community, Iwi and local residents in the region. Compelling evidence from Astrid Lambert, CEO of Enterprise Franklin, on the need to further develop the motorsport hub, and motorsport icon, Rob Lester’s evidence backgrounding the Manfeild circuit’s build and promotion was very informative and helpful for the councillors. Motorsport supporters, Ray Green, Richard Wright, Greg Terrill, Don Roy, Dynes McConnell and Kevin Vickers for Champion Dragway, all spoke eloquently about the social, employment and economic benefits for the region and for motorsport in general.
"However, it is hard to believe that the Government really wants regional development when the opposition at the hearing came from the Government Departments of Transit New Zealand and Corrections," says Tony Roberts, director of Hampton Downs Motorsport Park.
Both Transit and Corrections argued that the traffic issues had not been addressed - despite extensive information from the Park’s two traffic experts, and the Council Officer’s report, showing that Hampton Downs Motorsport Park could operate without disrupting traffic.
Thus, the third day of the hearings ended with the Council panel requesting that the five traffic experts representing the opposing factions, meet and resolve the issues before the 20th September hearing.
This was seen by Hampton Downs as a positive outcome, as the traffic issue is the only bone of contention and the only issue remaining to be solved.
"We are confident that these traffic issues can be resolved and believe that the information provided by the experts we had consulted was sufficient to ally any objections or concerns over this issue," says Roberts.
Meanwhile, the Motorsport Park screen planting has started along the Eastern boundary which will screen the track action from traffic running along the four lane expressway which is finally fully operational, straight to Hampton Downs!
June 2006 Council have set the date for the Resource Managment hearing for the 26/7/06 . Support for the consent generated over 380 submissions with just 4 objections received. If resource consent is granted at the end June and none of the objectors appeal then work could begin as early as October 2006. The main objectors are Transit and the Corrections Dept. We are in discussion with both these departments and expect to reach aggreement with both departments prior to hearing.
May 2006 Consent opened for public submissions. Hearing for sub dividing the land held and approved by the council subject to resource consent. |
