New Zealand is a beautiful country with a wide range of outdoor activities, including racing. Racing in New Zealand takes place on many different tracks, from flat-track to hill-climb, from street circuit to dirt sprint, and from drag strip to rallycross. With so many types of racing taking place on so many different tracks, it can be difficult to keep track of how many race tracks are actually located in New Zealand.
Overview of Race Tracks in New Zealand
In general, there are more than 100 race tracks scattered throughout New Zealand. These tracks range from purpose-built track and circuit facilities to smaller, local tracks. The majority of the race tracks are located in the North Island, though there are a number of tracks located in the South Island as well.
The tracks in New Zealand range from small, local tracks used for club racing to large, international standard racing circuits. Some of the more well-known circuits in New Zealand include the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, Pukekohe Park Raceway, and Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon.
Types of Race Tracks in New Zealand
The types of race tracks in New Zealand vary greatly. While some of the tracks are dedicated to one type of racing, such as drag racing or rallycross, other tracks are multi-purpose venues, hosting a variety of different racing events.
Below is a list of the different types of race tracks in New Zealand:
- Drag Strips
- Dirt Tracks
- Hill Climb Tracks
- Motocross Tracks
- Rallycross Tracks
- Rally Tracks
- Street Circuits
- Tarmac Circuits
Drag strips are purpose-built tracks designed specifically for drag racing. These tracks are typically long and narrow, and feature a special surface designed to provide maximum traction for drag racing.
Dirt tracks, meanwhile, are tracks made up of dirt, sand, and clay. These tracks are typically used for dirt sprint racing and motocross events.
Hill climb tracks are typically short, narrow tracks with steep inclines used for hill climb events.
Motocross tracks are purpose-built tracks used for motocross and supercross events.
Rallycross tracks are purpose-built tracks used for rallycross events. These tracks typically feature a mix of dirt and asphalt surfaces.
Rally tracks are dedicated rally courses used for rally events. These tracks are typically longer than other types of race tracks, and feature a mix of surfaces.
Street circuits are temporary tracks set up on public roads. These circuits typically feature a mix of asphalt and concrete surfaces.
Finally, tarmac circuits are dedicated race tracks made up of asphalt surfaces. These circuits are typically used for circuit racing and other types of events.
Regional Breakdown of Race Tracks in New Zealand
New Zealand is divided into 16 regions, and each region has a number of race tracks. Below is a breakdown of the number of race tracks in each region:
North Island
- Auckland – 16
- Bay of Plenty – 8
- Waikato – 7
- Gisborne – 3
- Hawke’s Bay – 6
- Taranaki – 5
- Manawatu-Wanganui – 5
- Wellington – 6
South Island
- Tasman – 5
- Nelson – 4
- Marlborough – 3
- West Coast – 5
- Canterbury – 11
- Otago – 8
- Southland – 4
Notable Race Tracks in New Zealand
While there are many race tracks in New Zealand, there are a few that stand out as some of the most notable race tracks in the country. These tracks are considered some of the best in the world, and they attract some of the biggest names in racing.
The most notable race tracks in New Zealand include:
- Hampton Downs Motorsport Park – Located in Waikato, this is one of the most popular race tracks in New Zealand. It features a 4.1-kilometre circuit, and it hosts a variety of events.
- Pukekohe Park Raceway – Located in Auckland, this is a popular track for circuit racing and drag racing. The track features a 2.8-kilometre circuit, and it is home to a variety of events.
- Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon – Located in Manawatu-Wanganui, this is a popular track for circuit racing. It features a 2.8-kilometre circuit, and it is one of the most prestigious race tracks in the country.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are more than 100 race tracks located in New Zealand. These tracks range from small, local tracks used for club racing to large, international standard racing circuits. The types of race tracks in New Zealand vary greatly, and the majority of the tracks are located in the North Island.
The most notable race tracks in New Zealand include Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, Pukekohe Park Raceway, and Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon. These tracks are some of the best in the world, and they attract some of the biggest names in racing.
Whether you’re a fan of circuit racing, drag racing, or any other type of racing, New Zealand has a race track for you. With so many tracks located throughout the country, there’s sure to be one near you. So get out there and start racing!