Looks like track will get original extensions finished and will operate debt free.
And the Taupo community can continue to play in their own debt ridden sandpit without fear of their track getting major improvements and without fear of Oz GTs running around their track entertaining spectators.
sr2,
Mar 28, 3:47pm
Brilliant!
tamarillo,
Mar 29, 7:54am
Excellant news. He'll be able to get races over here to compete at two rounds North and South. Must be good. Maybe he can but Kohatu park (Nelson track, still in planning),
Hopefully he still lets people rent the track for amateur days, it seems like the current management will stay, which should make that happen.
poppajn,
Mar 29, 12:26pm
It's not true, In today's ODT Tony Quinn totally denies it.
socram,
Mar 29, 3:38pm
Funny that the owners of HD are not denying it, even though it isn't as yet a done deal - and I spoke to both of them today.
timmo1,
Mar 31, 1:27pm
Don't see why they wouldn't- The more it's used, the better the balance sheet is.
kazbanz,
Mar 31, 2:41pm
Currently there are very few days it isn't being used so I can't see how it can be utilised more. I personally would really love it if they are able to follow one great idea that Taupo had and build the extention in such a way that two separate tracks and the skidpan can be used at the exact same time.
socram,
Mar 31, 3:19pm
The planned extension allows just that. The extension is a totally new track that has already been preloaded and just needs the top scraping back off. To get it up and running might take as little as $3m.
Just before the current turn 2, there is already very short extension which will go through and link TO the new track. On the current exit to turn three, you will see the re-entry point, which will be the link FROM the extension.
The skid pan is totally stand alone anyway and way back in 2009, there were fees established/published to hire the three facilities, but as we all know, the project stalled.
Fingers crossed that the rumours about a planned start on that extension will be one of the first priorities are in fact true.
kazbanz,
Mar 31, 3:37pm
socram--sorry mon Im a bit behind the times. Ive seen the way you go straight on at T2 and the rejoin at t3 so then will the straight carry on aways past T2 before hooking left? My ONLY complaint with HD currently is theres no place to take a breather. can't work out t5 to save myself. Im either bogged or slippin the clutch in fear of big wheelspin. WOW--just looket it up--a decent straight from 1-2. But I can't see how what will be T6 will work.-On the plans it looks like a right angle entry just past whats now T3.--I can't see how it can work with the current track direction.
twink19,
Mar 31, 3:38pm
it will become an even better facility, but, Tony will only run cars and classes he wants, so fees will increase and some classes like 2K wont be racing there I would think body corp fees will rise as well.
elect70,
Mar 31, 4:34pm
^^ why do you think that , retaining the origonal management so other than an extension to to the highlands 101 what else would he bring in ?. Im sure he 'll want the track booked for most return rather than leave it empty between the major meets . Hes is after all a racer as well as a businessman
socram,
Mar 31, 4:57pm
Sorry Twink, have to disagree. Body Corp fees have nothing to do with park ownership. All 80 units are totally freehold. The only charges imposed by the owners are regarding services supplied by one of the GP Farms companies and are not part of the Body Corp fees.
If the current management structure is left in place, why would U2K cup not be running there? Or any of the other series for that matter?
U2K Cup is the brainchild of one of the current owners and son and has been a huge success.
We obviously don't yet know the plans, but this is not a 16 day a year facility but a profitable enterprise, with heaps of growth potential. For that growth, it needs more people participating, as motorsport as a top spectator sport is in dire straights. Other than tier 1 and ST, competitor numbers are very high and growing, as you well know.
If entry or access to HD is restricted, the rank and file, (80% of licenced competitors), plus track day and twilight users, mainly amateurs, then they will have to go elsewhere - or give up.
twink19,
Mar 31, 5:00pm
just some one who knows Tony was thinking out loud edit time will tell
andrewrender,
Mar 31, 7:38pm
If indeed TQ has purchased the circuit and finishes the club track do you think that V8SC will consider moving there once the contract at Puke is up? I know there were issues regarding the Apartments.
nightboss,
Mar 31, 7:52pm
Cochrane of V8Supercars refused to deal with the previous track owners, let's hope Quinn can get discussions back on the table.
Hampton Downs has a very large population within 90 minutes drive, it seems the logical choice for big events.
socram,
Apr 1, 7:31am
Some of you need to understand the truth about V8 Supercars. Cochrane was talking to HD when the track was being built, and to quote someone very close "He'd bring his circus to a supermarket car park if you paid him a million dollars"!
Pukekohe, with Len Brown's Auckland City Council and the government fronted up with the money to bring the circus to Pukekohe. No way were HD's management going to pay out to bring that circus to town.
I have heard (secondhand) that TQ is not really interested in bringing the Aussie taxis to town anyway. The so called improvements to Pukekohe are a total joke. The paddock is now not big enough for a decent sized National meeting - especially as Pukekohe is now charging for the garages (sic).
There are just two urinals and 1 WC in the paddock - and no specific toilets at all for those in administration/time keeping. When their contract with Oz V8's expires, we'll just have to see.
http://autoaction.com.au/tony-quinn-. 04021419653102 - comments from Tony Quinn himself - at last. A link to some truth and confirms much of what some have already been saying. I suggest you all read it then rejoin the thread!
budgel,
Apr 1, 12:37pm
I get a 'Page not found' message from that link Socram.
Dout V8 SC would go there , unless a council or promoter promises them a minimum 1 M$ return , & they want to charge the apartment dwellers admission . TQ isnt a fan of it which is why he started the his own race & V8 lot want to buy him out to get rid of the competition
pf,
Apr 1, 6:12pm
sounds like a 99% done deal .
socram,
Apr 3, 10:06am
You can't deny apartment owners access to their freehold property.
Bearing in mind who actually owns them, (TQ owns 1!) the numbers gaining 'free' viewing would be a lot less than one promoter claimed.
One unit is currently the admin office. One is currently used as race control. There are track officials and several competitors there, so at most, there would be 60 units with balconies occupied. From past experience, those rented out are usually to out of town competitors (and even locals) who would be getting passes anyway, so probably down to 50.
With regulations limiting each balcony to 20 people maximum - and many not having that many visitors anyway, a best guess would be a maximum of 50 x 15 - and only if what was on offer was hugely attractive to all those units. Say a max of 800 people. Peanuts, given the number of free tickets handed out.
Again, past experience is that most occupied rental units on a race day with spectators, are ticket holders for the event anyway, as there are very few people who wouldn't want to get to the paddock or get a closer trackside view of the corners and the action.
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