Hampton Downs Seeks International Backing

Media Release

15th February 2013

HAMPTON DOWNS SEEKS INTERNATIONAL BACKING

Investment sought to complete New Zealand’s finest motorsport facility

The two New Zealand motorsport enthusiasts who created Hampton Downs are seeking both National and International investment to secure the long term future of the 350 acre Motorsport Park, located 60km south of central Auckland.

Tony Roberts and Chris Watson have begun a campaign to explore interest in either purchasing or further funding New Zealand’s finest motorsport facility.

“In order to develop Hampton Downs, and take it to the next level; additional funding is required and this investment needs to come from an outside source, said Tony Roberts, the Managing Director of Hampton Downs.

“Chris Watson and I have taken the dream about as far as we can on our limited resources. We have therefore engaged the Bayleys agency to present and market Hampton Downs to new investors”

“In the meantime it is business as usual at Hampton Downs. We will continue to operate and provide the first class motorsport experience motorsport enthusiasts have enjoyed over the last four years,” said Mr Roberts.

In the current configuration the facility is operating successfully and running at near capacity with more than 330 days per year of usage.

“The next logical step is the development of the 1.2km track extension, which would then give us three track options, being the current 2.7km circuit, the 1.2km club circuit and the full international 3.8km circuit.”

“In fact over the next four months Hampton Downs has an amazing calendar of motorsport”.

Since its official opening in January 2010, Hampton Downs has been host to some of New Zealand’s most iconic motor sport events, including the New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing, the International Toyota Racing Series, V8 SuperTourers, the Roycroft Vintage Car Festival, the Chrome Hot Rod Festival, D1NZ Drifting, the New Zealand Superbike Championship and the Barry Sheene Classic Bike meeting.

In recent months there have been further developments at the track including the sealing and upgrading of competitor facilities infield.

Late last year resource consent enabling daily spectator numbers to be increased from 20,000 to 50,000 for major events was approved by the Waikato District Council

“This Resource Consent allows Hampton Downs to fully achieve its potential and become a significant event centre and tourist attraction for the Auckland and Waikato regions.”

“Hampton Downs is just 40 minutes from the centre of Auckland City and the road is dual carriageway motorway for the entire 60kms. Our development provides significant economic benefits for both Auckland and the Waikato region.”

Already Hampton Downs has 250,000 people passing through its gates each year and 2.5 million people reside within 90 minutes of the circuit.

Mr Roberts said the partnership that conceived and created the $70m investment into the International motorsport complex wants to see the 1.2km track extension, corporate suites and race control tower completed as part of the vision.

“We want to complete full 3.8 km circuit that Chris Watson and I dreamed of creating when this project first began in 2004.” said Roberts.

“The basic layout for the extension was done at the same time as the construction of our existing 2.7 km circuit. The foundations were compacted and preloaded five years ago so we already have good foundations for the final sealing,” said Roberts.

“We’re ready to go on the final stages of this exciting Kiwi inspired project.”

Construction of the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park commenced in early 2007, with the original Resource Consent authorising the establishment and operation of the Motorsport Park and the establishment of various business, industrial and rural-residential uses on and around the Motorsport Park site, including 80 apartments.

About Hampton Downs

Hampton Downs is a 350 acre motorsport park, based around a new International race circuit situated just 40 minutes south of the Auckland City.

The facility is just 60 km south of Auckland and 65 km north of Hamilton, adjoining State Highway 1. This dual carriageway motorway runs all the way from the Auckland CBD to the Hampton Downs off ramp.

On average over 18,000 vehicles pass Hampton Downs each day.

Auckland Airport is situated 56km north and the main trunk railway station at Mercer is just 10 km away.

The track is in a natural valley, surrounded by rolling hillside. With this exceptional natural advantage, much of the circuit is visible from any point.

The sequence of corners and straights provide good racing, good spectator viewing and safe use for drivers of all abilities.

The layout is simple but because of the contour of the land it is 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 proposed 3.8 km large circuit has 10 corners, six righthand and four left hand. The main straight is 1000 metres long, with a kink in the middle and an 11 metre rise and fall. The back straight is flat with a length of 800 metres. Circuit direction is clockwise.

The Club circuit (ready for construction) will have its own infrastructure, including parking and a driver training hall. This track is 1.2 kms in length, with four corners. The Club circuit already has training and corporate days committed upon its completion.

The medium circuit is 2.7 kms, with six corners and hilly contours. This circuit incorporates the long front straight and pit garages. The International 2.7km circuit already is in use for events, driver training and corporate experiences.

It boasts a convention centre ‘Hampton’s Pavilion’, hospitality facilities, purpose built skid pan and industrial units.

Within the circuit’s park-like surroundings you can try your hand at car and motorcycle experiences ranging from ‘hot lap’ thrills to advanced high-speed and driver training. There is also an SUV course.

For accommodation there are 80 luxury apartments that overlook the circuit with 30 available to hire during events.

There are 16 garages and each is 10m x 12m and all have lights, electricity and lock up. Each garage can comfortably fit up to 6 cars and up to 12 bikes.

ENDS

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