Taupo International Motorsport Park and Events Centre (previously known as the Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park) is a motorsports circuit located in Broadlands Road, Taupō, New Zealand. It is owned by Tony Quinn who also owns Highlands Motorsport Park and Hampton Downs Motorsport Park.
 International Circuit (2006) | |
| Location | Taupō, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°39′56″S 176°8′39″E / 38.66556°S 176.14417°E |
| FIA Grade | 3 |
| Owner | Tony Quinn (November 2021–present) |
| Opened | 1959 |
| Former names | Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park (November 2015–December 2021) Taupo Motorsport Park (1959–November 2015) |
| Major events | Current: Supercars Championship Taupō Super 440 (2024–present) FR Oceania (2006–2019, 2023–present) GR86 Championship New Zealand (2014, 2016–2017, 2021–present) Former: Carrera Cup Australia (2024) A1GP (2007–2009) |
| Website | http://www.tauporacetrack.co.nz |
| Track 1 (2008–present) | |
| Length | 3.321 km (2.064 mi) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:14.679 ( Neel Jani, Lola A1GP, 2008, A1GP) |
| International Circuit (2006) | |
| Length | 3.500 km (2.175 mi) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Original Circuit (1959–2006) | |
| Length | 1.398 km (0.869 mi) |
| Turns | 6 |
The circuit was an upgrade from a 1.398 km (0.869 mi) Taupo Car Club's circuit to the new 3.500 km (2.175 mi) international layout in 2006.[1] The Motorsport Park was completed in 2006 at the cost of NZ$13 million. It features driver training facilities, a motorsport business park with 13 first floor corporate suites and a second floor race control, corporate and catering complex.
History
editOn 21 January 2007 Taupo Motorsport Park hosted the sixth race in the 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix season and on 20 January 2008 it hosted the fifth race in the 2007–08 A1 Grand Prix season. In order to create more overtaking opportunities, a tighter chicane was introduced at the end of the straight. On 25 January 2009 Taupo Motorsport Park hosted the fourth race in the 2008–09 A1 Grand Prix season. Owing to the tight 'S' bend close to the start causing collisions in the past, the rolling start was replaced by a standing start for the 2009 event's Sprint race.[1]
The Taupo Race Track project has received a Silver Award by the Association of Consulting Engineers New Zealand, praising the high-quality delivery of the project, which was designed and constructed in tandem to achieve very tight deadlines.[2] However, on 8 May 2008 Newstalk ZB reported that the motorsport park was NZ$3 million in debt and the owners were seeking equity to help keep their business afloat. [3]
The circuit was renamed Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park on 26 November 2015, as a tribute to former Formula One driver and team owner Bruce McLaren (1937–1970). The renaming occurred as Taupo directors announced they would be rebuilding the circuit to maintain its FIA Grade 2 status.[4] However, the circuit is renamed Taupo International Motorsport Park, after Tony Quinn purchased the circuit in November 2021.[5]
In January 2026, the circuit hosted Giltrap Group Taupo Historic Grand Prix, with the main drawcard being Johnny Reid and the Black Beauty A1GP car.
The circuit
editThe track includes four alternative configurations (consisting of 3.400 km (2.113 mi), 3.321 km (2.064 mi), 2.200 km (1.367 mi) and 1.300 km (0.808 mi)), two separate pit areas, a three-story pit lane complex with 32 ground floor pit garages that is currently under construction. The track also features an NHRA standard 830 m (2,720 ft) long, 17 m (56 ft) wide dragstrip with full capacity viewing for 10,000. The motor racing circuit has various licences ranging from National Grade 1 Motorsport Licence, FIA Grade 2 Motorsport Licence and International Motorcycling Safety Standards depending on which track configuration.[6][7] A1 Team Ireland's driver Adam Carroll commented that the track has few bumps and is technical and tight.[1][8]
Lap records
editThe unofficial all-time track record is 1:14.072, set by Nico Hülkenberg on the qualifying of 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, New Zealand.[9] As of April 2026, the fastest official race lap records at the Taupo International Motorsport Park are listed as:[10]
Other events
editIn a break from the usual open-road courses, Athletics New Zealand selected the Taupo Motorsport Park as the venue for 2024 New Zealand Road Relay Championships.[25]
Notes
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 "OFFICIAL PREVIEW: Taupo". a1gp.com. 16 January 2009. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
- ↑ Taupo Race Track – Innovate NZ, Brochure of the '2007 ACENZ Awards of Excellence', Page 18
- ↑ "Motorsport: Taupo cash crisis won't hurt A1GP". nzherald.co.nz. 8 May 2008. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
- ↑ "Taupo renamed after legendary Bruce McLaren". speedcafe.com. 26 November 2015. Archived from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
- ↑ "New Name, Branding, and Goals Revealed for Taupo Motorsport Park". autocar.nz. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ↑ "More about the Taupo Track". downforce.co.nz. 2008. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
- ↑ "The Track". tauporacetrack.co.nz. 2008. Archived from the original on 12 November 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
- ↑ James Pavey (19 April 2024). "Track walk: Taupō International Motorsport Park up close". Supercars.com.
- ↑ "A1GP World Cup of Motorsport 2006–07 Round 6: Taupo - Results Booklet" (PDF). Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ↑ "Natsoft Race Timing". natsoft.com.au. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ↑ "2007–08 Round 5: Taupo A1GP World Cup of Motorsport Feature Race - Classification" (PDF). 20 January 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ↑ Formula Scout (17 January 2026). "Wood and Wharton win Taupo's first FRegional Oceania races". formulascout.com. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
- ↑ "2016 Denny Hulme Trophy Race Meeting - Toyota Racing Series - R15 - Race 2 Amended Result" (PDF). 7 February 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ↑ "RACE Race 2 - Formula Atlantic, SIXT Taupo Historic GP, Taupo International Motorsport Park, New Zealand - Official Event Results, MYLAPS Speedhive". 10 January 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ↑ "2019 Motorsport NZ Championship - Taupo - TradeZone GT1/GT2 - GT1/GT2 - R14 - Race 2 (Rev Delay Starts 10 laps)". 14 April 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ↑ "RACE Superbike/Superbike B - Race 2 Red Flagged, 2025 NZSBK - Round 4 Final @ Taupo, MX Timing (NZ) Ltd, New Zealand - Official Event Results, MYLAPS Speedhive". 15 March 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
- ↑ "2024/25 Season - NextGen Championship - Race 1 - GTRNZ 1/2". nextgennz.co.nz. 23 November 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ↑ "2024 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia - Round 2, 2024: Taupo, New Zealand - Race 3 Results". 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ↑ "2026 ITM Taupo Super 440 Race 2". 11 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ "2025 ITM Taupo Super 440 - Taupo International Motorsport Park - SuperV8s - Race 2 - Classification". 12 April 2025. Archived from the original on 12 April 2025. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ↑ "2026 ITM Taupo Super 440 - Taupo International Motorsport Park - NAPA Central Muscle Cars - Race 2 - Final Result". 11 April 2026. Archived from the original on 11 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ "2026 ITM Taupo Super 440 - Taupo International Motorsport Park - SP Tools TA2 NZ Championship - Race 1 - Final Result". 11 April 2026. Archived from the original on 11 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ "2026 ITM Taupo Super 440 - Taupo International Motorsport Park - Bridgestone GR86 Championship - Race 1 - Final Result". 11 April 2026. Archived from the original on 11 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ "2024/25 Season - NextGen Championship - Race 2 - Nexen Tyres Mazda Racing Series". nextgennz.co.nz. 23 November 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ↑ "Taupo Motorsport Park hosts new-look New Zealand Road Relay Championships". Athletics New Zealand. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2024.