Taupo motorsport park

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jason_247, Feb 19, 4:20pm
Just recieved this, could mean some big positive changes for the track by the sounds. or more teetering on bankruptcy.

Dear Class Representative, Competitors and Race Contacts,

There are rumours circulating about a proposed interested buyer of the Taupo Motorsport Park (TMP) and that TMP are not in a strong position financially. These are both true and an offer has been made to the TMP Board of Directors, but the sale has NOT happened and it will be up to the TMP Shareholders (TCC are shareholders also) to decide at a Special General Meeting to be held on the 26th February.

TCC along with TMP and Taupo District Council (TDC) have a tripartite Lease Agreement Contract that gives TCC certain use arrangements as remuneration for us giving over our existing track, plant and equipment that was valued at $1.2m.

If the sale is approved, the interested buyer has made it very clear that we will lose those use arrangements and this will most certainly affect ALL of our race meetings. He has also indicated that he will, upon purchase, close the entire facility for at least 3-6 months, upgrade it and re-open with a new image and name. Needless to say his vision is very different to the current arrangements. This means that our Easter and Truck Race Championship meetings and Winter Series for 2015 will be affected. Also in the future we may no longer be able to, nor afford to, hold our ???traditional??
elect70, Feb 19, 5:18pm
Wonder if Tony Quin is the prospective buyer . he wanted to buy Hampton Downs too . he bought Highlands outright but origonal shareholders are on the committee . If its him could expect Ni rounds of the aussie GT series & aussie masters touring cars . He is a doer it would be good for taupo . Only have to see the crowds they pull .
socram, Feb 19, 5:30pm
I believe they have a shareholders meeting Feb 26th to discuss offers, one of which has indeed come from Tony Quinn. I believe there are two other interested parties, but no idea what the status is of their offers - if they have in fact made them or even if they are part of Tony Quinn's offer.

There is no doubt whatever that Tony Quinn has the means and the vision, but at what cost to current track hirers? Highlands was always intended as a 'country club' type arrangement by the original shareholders but Hampton Downs is a commercial enterprise, able to be hired by anyone, either for race meetings, track days or driver training.

Quite what Tony would do with Taupo we don't yet know other than what is in the OP. Would car clubs be able to hire it as at present, to run race meetings?
captaink, Feb 19, 5:49pm
How could a 'club' the size of Taupo possibly pick up the debt and make the circuit work. What can they do that isn't being done at present without the funds to make it work. I watched the Toyota races last night on Sky and I could be wrong but there was only at best a couple of vehicles on the embankment, zero spectators that I could see, zero promotion zero acceptance in the local paying customer.
The races were actually very good. on TV! when the meeting was on I could hear them but I was not inclined to go and see them ( having by then worked out what was racing) as a viewing circuit spectator wise it just does not work, there are so few passing opportunities hence I would think the 3 - 6 month closure to improve it.
Like it or lump it Mr Quinn has the ability and the bank balance to hopefully turn the complex around and make it a destination and part of the community as he seems to have done in Cromwell which is most certainly not the case as of now.
vivac, Feb 19, 6:00pm
As long as our private hire days can continue im not really sure it matters who owns it.
Unless of course the new owner would like to restock the flags and fire extinguishers, which seem to get less and less each time I go down there.
twink19, Feb 19, 6:17pm
the car club has the most to loose $1.2 m, that's their part old track etc, they also hold the licence for the track. I think if TC gets it things will change and not sure for the best for car clubs etc
jason_247, Feb 19, 7:05pm
One of the problems with taupo is lack of area to view.
the embankment offers average views.
the pitlane is exposed to wind and you dont want the genral public in all around your cars too much.
there is no infield.
and the otherside where there would be better viewing (where the photographers stand) is the end of a runway for the aero club so no room there either.

the other one is poor marketing. half the marketing i hear as a local is notices that events have been cancelled due to lack of interest, when noone had heard of them in the first place.

needs to be run as a business by a businessman.
pf, Feb 19, 7:34pm
sounds like Mr Quinn fits the bill .
intrade, Feb 20, 6:52am
from what i read your original first post the new owner wants to upgrade the place and charge loads more money after for use and have only high society use the track. So we have now a poorly run place or a money rules run place future . I recon the way in the middle would be what would be best in my opinion.
i read about loose arangments , this is exactly what you dont do ther can not be loose arangments if the place is suposed to make pay for it self. and there also has to be advertising , Not shel be right mate business practice from what i get the place seems to have been run as.
socram, Feb 20, 10:31am
As I have posted elsewhere in the past. I had been in NZ about three years and passed through Taupo several times and didn't even know it had a race track.

Even now, there is no signage in and around the town (which seems to be booming), letting locals or tourists know.

Not everyone who visits NZ or Taupo is into fishing, tramping or cycling. Local councils, NZTA, the Tourism Board the AA or whoever is responsible for signposting does motorsport no favours. Maybe they are all manned by tree huggers who are anti all fossil fuel sports?
elect70, Feb 20, 2:08pm
Yep & charges high admission $ but well worth it .highlands was $80 day for the 101 but it didnt stop the big crowd coming . He is after all a business man . Taupo is quite good viewing If they put grandstands on the embankment like they had for the A1 series . Puke is crap
elect70, Feb 20, 2:10pm
used to be 1 on the new bypass but for some strange reason it was removed same as for the aero club . Probably an erk at NZTA
upnorth, Feb 20, 2:51pm
Ironic that every vinyard gets a sign isn't it?
jason_247, Feb 20, 2:56pm
it would be cheaper for everyone if the track was used more.
ive never driven past HD and seen it not being used.
monday to firday taupo does bugger all
twink19, Feb 20, 4:32pm
Hampton has 2 days a year where it is not used. Taupo has 2 offers to buy.
1 is Tony Quinn, he wants it for a private track like Cromwell. the other wants to work with TCC to hold race meetings.
problem is council who owns a third has stars in their eyes, thinks the sun shine out of TQ bum only thinking of their share not the future of the track
twink19, Feb 20, 5:51pm
the last person we need to own Taupo is TQ, will be his private race track. say good by to ever racing here again
socram, Feb 21, 3:27pm
TQ has his Cromwell sandpit to play in (it only has about 16 days a year permitted), but was interested in HD as a commercial venture as HD is trading at a profit and is indeed booked for about 340 days a year. (It is closed over Christmas.) However, he only wanted to pay a fire sale price for it.

If he expands the commercial appeal of Taupo it could be a very good move (public kart track for example) and brings the Aussie GTs to both islands; beautifies the place and makes it better for spectators and doesn't alienate Taupo Car Club, he could do OK out of it.

Now that Pukekohe has ramped up their hire prices, meaning race entry fees will probably shift from $200 to $300 per car, expect the already small grids to be even smaller as the amateurs are priced out altogether and move to track days rather than organised motorsport.

MSNZ race licences have gone up from $135 to $205 and race levies from $26 to $50 per driver.

With tier 1 on the decline, the future of NZ National Motorsport is looking decidedly fragile. Expect the Classic & Historic movement to break away from MSNZ totally within 5 years and forge a link with the Vintage Car Club instead.
elect70, Feb 21, 3:50pm
^^^ agree the interest shown in these catagories at teir 1 meetings proves its what kiwis want to watch . Taupo is way under utilised needs the likes of TQ to revitalise it . Councils have no idea, dont promote it & the club can only do so much . Its such a great central m sport place , though jaffas are reluctant to travel .
centec, Feb 21, 3:52pm
Trust me guys, If TQ buys Taupo, you can kiss club racing goodbye. I keep a close eye on the Alfasud Trofeo series for instance and trust me, it will have one less venue to run at. TQ does not have motorsport in general at heart, but is all about exclusivity and the ability to turn a profit. My vote goes to Taupo remaining status quo if at all possible. A purchase by TQ is not a good move for any party but him.
rak1, Feb 22, 10:37am
Taupo does need a sort out though. Last time I looked at their web site, practice days had moved to Wednesday. Thats fine if you live locally, but when you live in Auck or Wgtrn and you want to sort out setups for Taupo, then you end up having to take 2 or 3 days off work to be able to do it unless you get up at 4 in the morning to travel.
elect70, Feb 22, 10:50am
He is a racer himself as well as a businessman , not a charity , if clubs cant afford the charges to hire the venue then users just have to pay more , . club racing doesnt attract paying spectators/ sponsors to off set costs
vivac, Feb 22, 11:26am
Surely TQ would realise having people using the track would be more likely to turn a profit than to shut it off just to have a day every now and then for his mates.
twink19, Feb 22, 5:07pm
there are other parties interested, but not being promoted by the board, they seem to think TQ will do them all a favour, Tui there
supernova2, Feb 22, 10:19pm
IIRC TMP was set up and/or is managed by an accountant. If I'm correct that explains it all.
mokaubach, Feb 22, 11:29pm
With tier 1 on the decline, the future of NZ National Motorsport is looking decidedly fragile. Expect the Classic & Historic movement to break away from MSNZ totally within 5 years and forge a link with the Vintage Car Club instead. [/quote]

MSNZ is like Karting, run by fat conceited old men with big egos that do more to destroy Motorsport than add anything to it.