Pole position Regarded as one of the most picturesque racing venues in the world, Taupo Motorsport Park is up for sale.
NEW ZEALAND’S premier international motor racing complex has been placed on the market for sale.
The Taupo Motorsport Park in Broadlands Rd is for sale by Bayleys through an international tender process closing on May 21.
The site is the only Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Grade 2 motor racing facility in the country, and the only New Zealand venue to have played host to the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) International Six Day Enduro.
The Taupo Motorsport Park was reopened in 2006 following a revamp undergoing improvements including the construction of a three-storey pit lane complex, track modification and work to ensure compliance with global motorsport industry standards.
Located just off State Highway 1, the North Island’s main arterial route, and just 3km northeast of Taupo’s CBD, the Taupo Motorsport Park is regarded as one of the most picturesque racing venues in the world as it sits close to the shores of Lake Taupo and bordered by Mt Tongariro, Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngauruhoe.
Bayleys commercial and industrial salesman David Gubb said the Taupo Motorsport Park was already attracting interest from domestic and international buyers.
He said: ‘‘Development plans are already in place to boost the cash flow past an existing $1 million per annum. Add-ons such as an offroad track, motorsport museum, cafe and other on-site tourism activities could make this facility into an international motorsport attraction and a national icon.’’
The 42.25-hectare property is comprised of five certificates of title, including two freehold titles that are the Taupo Business Park and Pit-Paddock Industrial Land.
The three leasehold titles are for land leased from the Taupo District Council on which sits the Eastern Track and Drag Strip, the Western Track and the Pit-Paddock Land and Pit-Lane Complex. Each lease is for 99 years, made up of 33 years, plus two rights of renewal of 33 years each. The leases are of the underlying land only, as all improvements on the leased land are owned by the Taupo Motorsport Park.
There is room for the erection of temporary grandstand seating and VIP, media and hospitality suites bringing the full spectator capacity to around 45,000 people.
Gubb said five race track configurations were available, including a 3.5km technical circuit, the most recent 2.2km track added in 2006 and an internationalcompliant full-length drag strip with 400m braking and emergency lengths, complete with separate control tower.
The park is booked for 151 days between March and December. Summer rates for the International track range from $4000 for weekdays and $5800 for weekends, while over winter rates reduce to $2800 and $4000 respectively. The Eastern and Western tracks are available at a discounted rate.
The facility’s major event hosting capability is what sets it apart from other New Zealand venues, Gubb said.