Hampton Downs (Waikato)

**Hellraiser** · 1st December 2006, 07:31

Saw it on the Sports news last night they have been granted Resource Consent to build the track.

It's now only a matter of time.

**slinky** · 1st December 2006, 07:36

where abouts exactly??

**ArcherWC** · 1st December 2006, 07:38

There was talk of this being more than just a road track, of actually being a motorsport park, with drag strip, and moto x track as well

**Chaosmage** · 1st December 2006, 07:50

Originally Posted by sl1nky

where abouts exactly??

http://www.hamptondowns.com/Track.wse ....says near Meremere

**dnos** · 1st December 2006, 07:57

That is awesome news.

**Whynot** · 1st December 2006, 08:02

http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3884061a13275,00.html

Resource consent granted for Hampton Downs
30 November 2006

Resource Consent has been granted for the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, situated two kilometres south of Meremere, by the Waikato District Council.

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 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 and 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 also 15 lifestyle blocks looking eastwards towards the circuit.

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," said Roberts.

"It is remarkable that in the euphoria of stadium proposals, no government assistance or funding to build this proposed Motorsport Park has been forthcoming."

**Joni** · 1st December 2006, 08:16

Any news that hints the discontinuation of motorcycle racing at Puke is good news! The sooner the better.

**Motu** · 1st December 2006, 08:29

There will be complaints from the neighbours - some of those prisoners employ very powerful lawyers.It's going to be pretty stressful trying to oversee the management of a very sucessful manufacturing and distribution business while listening to V8's racing around the track to cheering crowds..

**bugjuice** · 1st December 2006, 08:43

fukin rahhhh!!!!! 'bout bloody time.
I saw the 'trailer' for sports tonight last night, as I was switching off the TV. Just before I released the button, I heard him say 'Resource for Hampt...' and thought 'bollox'.. thought it might have been given the go ahead.

but when?!?!?!?!?!! when do we get to taste its sweet tarmac and flowing corners?? Trackside apartments tho...?? mmmm might have to invest

**marty** · 1st December 2006, 09:14

i hear the govt. was against the track on behalf of the prison, due to the smells that the motor racing events would create.

this is the same prison that's next to the largest open landfill in australasia...

and the same govt. that would have created law to bypass the RMA for the waterfront stadium.