Highlands Motorsport Park
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Full Circuit (2013–present) | |
| Location | Cromwell, Otago |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45°03′26″S 169°09′52″E / 45.05722°S 169.16444°E |
| FIA Grade | 3 |
| Owner | Tony Quinn |
| Broke ground | April 2012 |
| Opened | 30 March 2013 |
| Major events | Current: FR Oceania (2014, 2019–2020, 2023–present) New Zealand Grand Prix (2024–present) GR86 Championship New Zealand (2013, 2019–2020, 2022, 2024–present) Former: Australian GT Highlands 101 (2013–2016) Aussie Racing Cars (2015, 2023) TCR New Zealand (2021) Racer Products V8s (2019) V8SuperTourer (2014) |
| Website | http://www.highlands.co.nz |
| Full Circuit (2013–present) | |
| Length | 4.100 km (2.548 mi) |
| Turns | 22 |
| Race lap record | 1:28.830 ( |
| 'A' Course (2013–present) | |
| Length | 1.133 km (0.704 mi) |
| Turns | 7 |
| 'B' Course (2013–present) | |
| Length | 1.090 km (0.677 mi) |
| Turns | 2 |
| 'C' Course (2013–present) | |
| Length | 1.496 km (0.930 mi) |
| Turns | 7 |
The Highlands Motorsport Park is a motor racing circuit in Cromwell, Otago, New Zealand. Opened on 30 March 2013,[1] the facility features a 4.100 km (2.548 mi) circuit.
The circuit offers on and off track driving, an outdoor go-kart track, a sculpture park and mini golf. It is also the home of the New Zealand National Motorsport Museum, and displays machinery including ex-Formula One cars.
In early 2016, Highlands acquired the only Aston Martin Vulcan in the Southern Hemisphere, and one of only 24 worldwide, for $4.2 million.[2] It is currently on display at the National Motorsport Museum at the park. In 2016 the park introduced the Highlands Festival of Speed, held annually in mid-January.[3]
The entire Highlands complex is next door to the Central Motor Speedway, a ¼ mile (446 m (488 yd)) dirt track, egg shaped oval speedway that opened in December 1980.[4]
Layout configurations
Highlands 101
The Highlands 101 was an endurance race held annually at the Highlands Motorsport Park from 2013 to 2016, in conjunction with the final round of the Australian GT Championship.[5]
Past winners
| Year | Drivers | Entrant | Car | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | VIP Holdings | Aston Martin Vantage GT3 | Report | |
| 2014 | VIP Holdings | Aston Martin Vantage GT3 | Report | |
| 2015 | VIP Holdings | McLaren 650S GT3 | Report | |
| 2016 | Scott Taylor Motorsport | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Report |
Lap records
The unofficial all-time track record is 1:23.753, set by Liam Lawson, driving a Rodin FZED, on 16 January 2022.[6][7] As of February 2026, the fastest official race lap records at the Highlands Motorsport Park are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Circuit: 4.100 km (2.548 mi) (2013–present) | ||||
| Formula Regional | 1:28.830[8] | Tatuus FT-60 | 17 February 2024 | |
| Toyota Racing Series | 1:28.910[9] | Tatuus FT-50 | 12 January 2019 | |
| GT3 | 1:31.365[10] | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | 12 November 2016 | |
| TA2 | 1:39.919[12] | Dodge Challenger[13] | 18 February 2024 | |
| Toyota GR86 Championship | 1:50.836[14] | Toyota GR86 | 1 February 2026 | |
| 'E' Course: 2.910 km (1.808 mi) (2013–present)[15] | ||||
| TCR Touring Car | 1:12.483[15][16] | Audi RS 3 LMS TCR | 23 April 2021 | |