NZ Grand Prix coming to Hampton Downs
Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park will host the 66th running of the New Zealand Grand Prix in January 2021, with hopes the earlier-than-usual date will attract an array of high-profile Kiwi drivers.
It will be the first time the Grand Prix – the opening event of the three-round 2021 Castrol Toyota Racing Series – has been held at the Waikato circuit.
The January 22-24 meeting will also be the first occasion the Toyota Racing Series event faces the longer and more challenging 4km international format track, which has 10 corners and a lap record of 1 minute 27.637 seconds.
The MotorSport New Zealand-sanctioned event – a joint venture by Hampton Downs and Speed Works Events – is set to feature practice, qualifying and two races for drivers before the Grand Prix itself on Sunday, January 24.
Officials say the earlier calendar date is designed to attract top New Zealand drivers who may still at home following the Christmas break.
Organisers are also working with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and NZ Immigration about the potential of having international drivers taking part as the situation with Covid-19 evolves.
The New Zealand race is one of only two official FIA-sanctioned events permitted to carry the Grand Prix title that are not part of the annual FIA Formula One World Championship. The other is the Macau Grand Prix.
Previous winners of the New Zealand event include Stirling Moss, Prince Bira, Jack Brabham, John Surtees, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart and legendary Kiwi racers Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon.
More recently, it has been won by current F1 drivers Lando Norris and Lance Stroll. Other victorious Kiwi drivers include three-time winners Craig Baird, Nick Cassidy and Ken Smith, with the latter aiming to make a record 50th straight start in the Grand Prix in 2021.
Elton Goonan, acting chief executive officer of MotorSport NZ, says news of the Grand Prix event is a positive during challenging times for motorsport worldwide.
“We are excited to be continuing to run the New Zealand Grand Prix again in 2021,” he adds.
“The perseverance of all parties involved to ensure this highly regarded event can still take place in uncertain times is a credit to the wider motorsport community.
“The track provides excellent racing and we are all looking forward seeing NZ’s premier race on our calendar at a world-class track.”
Securing the Grand Prix is a dream come true for circuit owner Tony Quinn, who has been eager to land the event since opening Highlands Motorsport Park in 2013 and he then purchased the Hampton Downs facility in 2016.
Geoff Short, of Speed Works, says the meeting is a chance to get the New Zealand public re-engaged with domestic motorsport.
“We have a great circuit, we have a fantastic Grand Prix category in Castrol Toyota Racing Series and we will have championship support categories which will offer something of interest for everyone and hopefully many new fans,” he explains.
“We know the team at Hampton Downs will go the extra mile to make this event a success and we look forward to working with them over the coming months.”
