Hamilton ready to rumble
April 17th 2008 03:36
After almost three years in the making, the newest circuit on the V8 Supercars program has finally been completed, ready for this weekend’s round of the 2008 Series.
The street circuit in Hamilton, New Zealand, was first conceived in July 2005 when the then Mayor, Michael Redman, approached V8 Supercars Australia, attempting to convince them of the viability of a round in his beautiful city. By January 2006 a helicopter flyover had located a suitable circuit and the planning began later that year.
In 2007 the reality of the situation began to hit home when the civil works program began in April. May saw the delivery of 2300 debris fence panels from the Melbourne AGP, stored in 50 shipping containers, and in June they began to collect the required 8,800 tyres, necessary to maintain the safety of the finished circuit.
Pit lane began to be born in September 2007, with the concrete slab for the pit garages eventually poured in October. Since then, much civil work has been completed, including overhead pedestrian bridges, amendments to the Norton Road roundabout, pit garages, grandstands and the Race Control Complex. Then, finally, in March the track was begun, finishing with what we see today.
The whole process could have been a logistical nightmare, not only was it the inaugural meeting at the Hamilton street circuit but with the V8 Supercar series being an Australian series, much trans-Tasman cooperation was essential. So far, everything has gone to plan, so it’s hopeful the event will be a great success and ultimately hugely beneficial to Hamilton.
With a new Holden Commodore to show off, Kiwi driver Greg Murphy has been heavily involved in the planning of the new circuit and is looking forward to racing there this weekend.
“I can't wait really,” Murphy told the media. “I've been involved since the early stages of planning and it is exciting to see it take shape. I am so impressed with everything that has been put in place. As a New Zealander you have to be proud of what's been achieved here.”
The winner of the round will take out the newly created Mark Porter Memorial Trophy, named for the former Fujitsu Series driver who sadly lost his life racing at Bathurst in 2006.
Some interesting facts:
The Hamilton street circuit is 3.4km in length and includes eight turns. Top speed on the circuit is more than 240km/h with an extra three areas where drivers will exceed 200km/h.
There are 2000 concrete barriers, each 4m in length and weighing 4.5 tonne and 1760 tyre bundles each with 5 tyres and requiring a total of 40,000 bolts and nuts. 350 tonnes of steel has been used in various structures around the circuit including pedestrian bridges, gantries, pits, race control and safety barriers.
The circuit has taken six weeks to construct and will take two weeks to pull down following the race weekend.
V8 Supercar Racing Schedule
Friday 12:50 - 13:20 Practice (30 Minutes)
Friday 13:25 - 13:55 Practice (30 Minutes)
Friday 14:35 - 15:50 Practice (75 Minutes)
Saturday 11:20 - 12:15 Qualifying (45 Minutes)
Saturday 16:15 - 17:15 Race 1 (36 Laps)
Sunday 11:30 - 12:30 Race 2 (36 Laps)
Sunday 15:25 - 16:25 Race 3 (36 Laps)
The street circuit in Hamilton, New Zealand, was first conceived in July 2005 when the then Mayor, Michael Redman, approached V8 Supercars Australia, attempting to convince them of the viability of a round in his beautiful city. By January 2006 a helicopter flyover had located a suitable circuit and the planning began later that year.
In 2007 the reality of the situation began to hit home when the civil works program began in April. May saw the delivery of 2300 debris fence panels from the Melbourne AGP, stored in 50 shipping containers, and in June they began to collect the required 8,800 tyres, necessary to maintain the safety of the finished circuit.
Pit lane began to be born in September 2007, with the concrete slab for the pit garages eventually poured in October. Since then, much civil work has been completed, including overhead pedestrian bridges, amendments to the Norton Road roundabout, pit garages, grandstands and the Race Control Complex. Then, finally, in March the track was begun, finishing with what we see today.
The whole process could have been a logistical nightmare, not only was it the inaugural meeting at the Hamilton street circuit but with the V8 Supercar series being an Australian series, much trans-Tasman cooperation was essential. So far, everything has gone to plan, so it’s hopeful the event will be a great success and ultimately hugely beneficial to Hamilton.
Another quick look at Murphs car-blink and you'll miss him
With a new Holden Commodore to show off, Kiwi driver Greg Murphy has been heavily involved in the planning of the new circuit and is looking forward to racing there this weekend.
“I can't wait really,” Murphy told the media. “I've been involved since the early stages of planning and it is exciting to see it take shape. I am so impressed with everything that has been put in place. As a New Zealander you have to be proud of what's been achieved here.”
The winner of the round will take out the newly created Mark Porter Memorial Trophy, named for the former Fujitsu Series driver who sadly lost his life racing at Bathurst in 2006.
Some interesting facts:
The Hamilton street circuit is 3.4km in length and includes eight turns. Top speed on the circuit is more than 240km/h with an extra three areas where drivers will exceed 200km/h.
There are 2000 concrete barriers, each 4m in length and weighing 4.5 tonne and 1760 tyre bundles each with 5 tyres and requiring a total of 40,000 bolts and nuts. 350 tonnes of steel has been used in various structures around the circuit including pedestrian bridges, gantries, pits, race control and safety barriers.
The circuit has taken six weeks to construct and will take two weeks to pull down following the race weekend.
V8 Supercar Racing Schedule
Friday 12:50 - 13:20 Practice (30 Minutes)
Friday 13:25 - 13:55 Practice (30 Minutes)
Friday 14:35 - 15:50 Practice (75 Minutes)
Saturday 11:20 - 12:15 Qualifying (45 Minutes)
Saturday 16:15 - 17:15 Race 1 (36 Laps)
Sunday 11:30 - 12:30 Race 2 (36 Laps)
Sunday 15:25 - 16:25 Race 3 (36 Laps)
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