Circuit Layouts.
The final design and full FIA simulation analysis as a Category 2 circuit has now been completed by Clive Bowen of Apex Circuit Design Ltd. Clive's design philosophy, working from the original layout defined by Roberts and Watson, was to incorporate the views of; drivers, teams and the FIA into a sequence of corners and straights that should provide good racing, spectating and safe use for drivers of all abilities. The layout is simple, without undue ‘frills', but because of the contour of the land it will be a challenging and rewarding track to drive. Unlike other tracks in New Zealand, this circuit has plenty of rise and fall. Added to this are two long straights and at least four good passing opportunities around the full circuit. The 3.8 km large circuit has nine corners, five right hand and four left hand. The main straight is 950 metres long, with a kink in the middle and a 12 metre rise and fall. The back straight is flat with a length of 750 metres. Circuit direction is clockwise.
The Club circuit has its own infrastructure, including parking and a driver training hall. This track is 1.2 kms in length, with four corners. The medium circuit is 2.8 kms, with six corners and hilly contours. This circuit incorporates the long front straight and pit garages. Both these circuits already have training and corporate days committed upon their completion The two circuits sit on a very large 140 acre site, while a further 250 acres will contain an Industrial Park, Camping Ground, Lifestyle Blocks and Recreational Vehicle course.
A 3.8 km Lap of Hampton Downs (F3000) – Courtesy Of the FIA Simulated !
The track is clockwise, with the start in front of the pit buildings.
Crossing the start line at 70kms in a rolling start, the car quickly accelerates to 200 km per hour before the track disappears from view as it plunges downhill into the braking area 200 metres from the crest of the hill. There is a huge sealed run-off area on the left and heavy braking is required before entering turn one at the bottom of the hill.
Through the corner at 125km per hour and onto the 750 metre back straight. The F3000 quickly accelerates to a peak of 255km per hour before braking heavily for the tight right hander at the end of the straight. Then there is a flowing sequence of a 75 km per hour left hander, then into a long 110 km per hour right hander that opens out into a 220 km per hour short straight before the circuit dives left.
The F3000 then crests a slight rise and turns left before entering a tight right hander and climbing 7 metres out of the corner and onto a 250 metre straight. This short straight rises to a crest that disguises the 6 metre descent into a wide, tightening, 60 km per hour left turning hairpin.
Blasting out of the hairpin and going downhill for 400 metres towards the sweeper, the F3000 hits 235 km per hour, then brake and balance the car through the 130 km per hour sweeper. Powering out of the sweeper the car starts up the hill for the almost 1 kilometre ‘slightly kinky’ front straight. A top speed of 265 km per hour is achieved while blasting along the plateau between the pits and apartments, before, once again the circuit drops down the hill to turn one below.
And that's a lap of Hampton Downs!
This Track Map shows the contours of the land and the rise and fall in the circuit.
The Track Schematic of Hampton Downs Circuit Layouts.