More Motorsports

Sidecar Racing

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diamanx

If you’re a Kiwi or a motorsports fan, you know the New Zealander Scott Dixon won the 2008 IndyCar Series championship. Scott won the title in 2003, lost both the race and championship to Dario Franchitti at Chicagoland Speedway last year when he ran out of fuel near the finish, and roared back again this year, losing the race by a kiwi’s beak to Helio Castroneves, but winning his second IndyCar Series championship. IndyCars for you non-motorsports fans are those open-wheel, low-slung cars that whine around the track like angry hornets. Scotts championship wasn’t an accident. New Zealanders take their motorsports– all their motorsports very seriously.

In March, we talked about the Museum of Transport and Technology (Motat) and the nearby Western Springs Speedway in Auckland. When you’re RVing or poking along in an auto, it’s always fun to travel with a mission– play three golf courses in Northland, visit gardens in the Coromandel, or tramp a track. If you’re a sports fan of anything that makes noise and goes fast, why not make one or more motorsport events your mission?

In the North Island, the new motorsport complex, Hampton Downs, south of Auckland should be completed some time next year. Under construction near Meremere drag strip and oval track in north Waikato, Hampton Downs will be a driver training and testing facility as well as fancy modern-day motorsport complex.

Motorbikes

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frielp

Each Boxing Day (December 26) during the Cemetery Circuit, motorbikes (NZ motorcycles) race around the cemetery in downtown Wanganui. In this street race, sometimes called the Southern Hemisphere’s Isle of Man, motorcycles tear around town, zipping around corners– usually. Sidecars bang by, driver in front, feet dragging passenger in back, trying to maneuver around the turns. They’re noisy, so bring ear plugs. Paeroa hosts the race finals in February. There are six low-cost parking spots in the middle of town. When the races are in town, RVs move to the town reserve. Motorcycles often miss the turns there and you wouldn’t want a cycle in your bed. If you’re staying home for Christmas, you can watch the Cemetery Circuit race live on the internet. Just make sure to check ahead for the correct times– New Zealand is a day ahead.

Still farther south, near Feilding, you’ll find Manfeild Autocourse. (No. I didn’t spell it wrong. The town is named for Lord Feilding.) Built in 1973, the track was brought up to international standards in 1990 with its 2.8 mile road course. Manfeild park which contains the course is a busy place. On any day, you might find a horse show, a wedding, a shearing contest or an international race.

The Muddy End

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jbimages

The South Island is a little shy of large towns north of Christchurch, but south of there, each February, you’ll find the Southern Festival of Speed. With three permanent circuits and one temporary circuit in Dunedin, this series for classic and historic vehicles (including motorcycles) has four venues and seven racing days. The courses are in Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill almost all the way to the end of the South Island. If you plan to visit the Southern Festival of Speed, these towns are all on the eastside of the South Island along Hwy 1. Use a Mileage Calculator to figure your travel time. The Southern Festival of Speed is just one of many events. If you won’t be in the South Island in February, you’ll still find some type of motorsport if you hang around for a while.

Congratulations Scott Dixon on your second IndyCar Series championship.

Lyn Harris

RV in NZ: How to Spend Your Winters South in New Zealand