Hamilton Street Circuit
 | |
| Location | Hamilton, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC+12:00 |
| Coordinates | 37°47′8″S 175°16′5″E / 37.78556°S 175.26806°E |
| Opened | 18 April 2008 |
| Closed | 22 April 2012 |
| Major events | V8 Supercars Hamilton 400 (2008–2012) Toyota Racing Series (2008–2009) |
| Street Circuit (2008–2012) | |
| Length | 3.310 km (2.057 miles) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Race lap record | 1:22.8736 ( Mark Winterbottom, Ford Falcon (FG), 2012, V8 Supercars) |
The Hamilton Street Circuit was a temporary street circuit in Hamilton, New Zealand. From 2008 to 2012 it hosted the Hamilton 400 as part of the V8 Supercars championship.
From 2010 to 2012, ITM, New Zealand's largest group of independent trade building supplies, sponsored the race and it became known as the ITM 400.[1]
Demise
Some residents of the city wanted the V8s gone, as they took over city streets and blocked residents from entering and exiting their own homes.[2]
On 14 December 2010, The New Zealand Herald reported that Julie Hardaker, the newly elected Mayor of Hamilton, and some councilors appointed an independent auditor to audit the cost of the race. The figures released on 14 December suggested that a NZ$3.5m cost to change the event to a different promoter (the original promoter, Caleta Streetrace Management, was collapsed in 2010), NZ$5.1m for operational costs and NZ$20.3m for set-up costs. The sum (NZ$27.4 million) did not include "commercially confidential" amounts such as event sponsorship payments.[3]
The cost to run the V8 Supercar event was eventually deemed too great[4] and the final V8 Supercar race was held on 22 April 2012; it was won by Mark Winterbottom.[5]
The circuit
Hamilton Street Circuit was 3.310 km (2.057 mi) long circuit ran in a clockwise direction around the Frankton business district with the pit lane and main straight located on Mill Street. The circuit also went alongside the Seddon Park and the Waikato Stadium.[6] It was generally a narrow race track with armco and concrete lined sides but it could be fast[7] and flowing.[8] There were plenty of passing opportunities and those who quickly dial into the contained style of street racing had the most success. The circuit was not very forgiving if the driver got off the racing line because it was surrounded by the aforementioned fences and concrete barriers.[9]
Lap records
The official race lap records at Hamilton Street Circuit are listed as:[10]
| Class | Driver | Vehicle | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street Circuit: 3.310 km (2008–2012) | ||||
| V8 Supercars | Mark Winterbottom
|
Ford Falcon (FG) | 1:22.8736 | 2012 ITM Hamilton 400 |
| Toyota Racing Series |  Richie Stanaway
|
Tatuus TT104ZZ | 1:23.0622 | 2009 Hamilton TRS Round |
References
- ^ Thompson, Eric (28 October 2009). "Motorsport: ITM deal boosts Hamilton 400". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
- ^ "Hamilton resident seeks to stop V8s". 3 News NZ. 10 April 2012. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013.
- ^ "Motorsport: Mayor "horrified" by cost of Hamilton V8s". nzherald.co.nz. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
- ^ "Pukekohe V8s to feature four races". 3 News NZ. 26 March 2013. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
- ^ "Mark Winterbottom wins thrilling final race at Hamilton ITM 400". 3 News NZ. 22 April 2012. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
- ^ "ITM Hamilton 400, New Zealand". v8supercars.com.au. n.d. Archived from the original on 20 February 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ "On track for competitive driving". toyotaracing.co.nz. n.d. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
- ^ "ITM Hamilton 400, New Zealand". v8supercars.com.au. n.d. Archived from the original on 20 February 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ "New Hamilton street circuit will be quick, southern drivers say". drivesouth.co.nz. 18 April 2008. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ "Natsoft ® - IT Specialists!". Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2014.