The new owner of Taupō International Motorsport Park says he has big plans to revitalise the venue and would love to bring trans-Tasman V8 Supercars and superbikes to the circuit.
Australia-based Scotsman Tony Quinn bought the racetrack for $9.8 million late last year after several attempts to get the deal across the finish line fell short of shareholder expectations.
Quinn, the founder and former owner of V.I.P Petfoods and a major shareholder of Triple Eight Race Engineering, also owns Highlands and Hampton Downs motorsport parks and said Taupō was well positioned as a tourist destination and was a good fit for plans to offer conferencing and business events at the venue.
Eagled-eyed locals would have noticed new signage going up at the park - formerly known as the Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park - over the past few months, as well as renovations to existing facilities and the building of a new go-kart track that would be opened before next summer.
“The one thing we really want to make Taupō famous for is the historic Grand Prix,” Quinn said.
“New Zealand has got a lot of history with those cars, and it’s just such a great weekend of racing.
“But we’re also talking with the likes of the Australian Superbike Series about making a trip next year. Nothing is confirmed, but they have certainly spoken favourably about Taupō as a potential trans-Tasman destination.
“Everyone says talks about how interesting a double header event with Auckland for Supercars, TA2 (muscle cars) and Carrera Cup could be.
“There’s been talks, but honestly, that’s as far as things have gone for now,” he said.
Chief executive for Highlands, Hampton Downs and Taupō International Motorsport Park Josie Spillane said issues between the park's former owners and the Taupō Car Club had been resolved, and they were looking forward to the future.
"Every great motorsport park needs a great car club and every great car club needs a great motorsport park," she said.
“Taupō gives us a big opportunity to establish another destination track.
“The wider Taupō region offers so much, and we want the track to be re-established as a big player in tourism, conferencing and business events.”
Spillane said they had launched a new membership offering replicating the successful GT Membership model employed at Highlands and Hampton Downs and said motor racing would remain their core focus.
“We have seen considerable growth at Hampton Downs in these areas, so we know what works - mostly that is providing great service and a modern, high-quality venue.”
Opportunities for the public to get out on the track in various vehicles are also part of their plans.
“Getting involved in the communities surrounding the circuits is important to the organisation and the view is to engage with the broader Taupō community in other ways.
“Watch this space,” she said.
The GT Membership model has been welcomed by veteran Taupō track user and one of its first members, Simon Gilbertson, who said it completely reinvigorated his enthusiasm for the venue and its future.
“When you’re running a race team, you need to deliver consistency for your team and your partners.
“Aside from testing and achieving good results on race day, you want to offer regular corporate days, hot laps and other track hospitality opportunities.
“We feel with Tony and Josie’s track record we have that consistency. They understand challenges we face as team operators and competitors and work with us so we can deliver a better motorsport offering as a whole,” Gilbertson said.
Taupō International Motorsport Park was built in 2006 for $13 million, with the Labour government of the day contributing $2 million along with significant investments from the Taupō District Council and a group of private investors.
It also played host to the New Zealand round of the now defunct A1 GP – a single make open wheel race car series in which international teams represented their countries.
Credit: Stuff.co.nz
