Thunder Ridge Motorsport Park

NZ great believes Thunder Ridge could bring motorsport crowds back to Bay

One of the biggest names in New Zealand motorsport history says he’s delighted that the Bay of Plenty will get a new motorsport facility in Thunder Ridge Motorsport Park.

Five-time Gold Star winner and 1983 New Zealand Grand Prix winner David Oxton believes it will be warmly embraced by motorsport fans and sports fans throughout the region.

And Oxton – one of New Zealand’s motorsport royalty alongside names like Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme, Chris Amon, Howden Ganley, Graeme Lawrence, Graeme McRae and Kenny Smith - thinks it will make a huge contribution to the sport in New Zealand in the long-term.

In his day, Oxton was a single seater specialist - starting his single seater career in 1967 in the then National Formula 1.5 litre race cars alongside Lawrence, McRae, Smith and many others before sharing the grids with the visiting Formula One drivers in the iconic Tasman Series – widely regarded as the "Golden Era" of NZ motor racing.

David was there too – and highly competitive – when Formula Atlantic ran in the Bay during its halcyon days of the late seventies when drivers like Keke Rosberg – who went on to win the F1 World Championship in 1982 – thrilled the crowds with his press-on, kerb-hopping style around the track in Fred Oppert’s iconic light blue Chevrons.

Ironically Oxton was not a big fan of the Bay Park circuit itself - or at least it wasn't a big fan of him. "I blew a few engines there and crashed a few cars so it certainly wasn't my favourite track,” he said.

“But the fans loved it. It was close enough to Hamilton and Auckland that they came in their thousands for the holiday race meetings at Labour Weekend, New Year and Easter. This was in much the same way as events at Levels and Teretonga where the meetings were also very well supported by the local community.

“Bay Park was the dream of two men who made their dream reality. Graham Pierce and Peter Hanna changed the face of motor racing in NZ for both competitors and fans alike with their positive enthusiasm and their innovation to try new ideas.

“They brought F5000 cars for a demo in 1969. Then in the 1970s they brought Aussie saloon car greats like Moffat, Brock, Geoghan, Gardiner and Beechey to do battle with our heroes Richards, Fahey, Coppins, Dawson, Riley and Nazer.

“Pierce and Hanna brought a refreshing change to NZ motor racing promotion with their positive and accommodating style much the same as the Thunder Ridge principals led by Tony Roberts are doing right now and they already have the support of the motor racing community and fans alike with their exciting development of a brand new Bay of Plenty circuit.

“I don’t think I am alone in terms of the old guard of motorsport in New Zealand in hoping that Thunder Ridge will bring regular motorsport back to the Bay of Plenty and that fans will have something exciting to be part of in their region.

“Who knows, it may even revive interest from the younger generations in circuit racing and being involved in the sport not only as drivers but also marshals and officials. I think we would all hope for that.

Roberts was delighted to have the endorsement of Oxton, but says the legend is not alone.

“We’ve had support from all quarters and that can be seen not only from verbal support like this from David but also material support in terms of the sale of our Foundation garages, which have gone exceptionally well and are now very close to being at capacity for the first stage.”

The new circuit is still on schedule to open its doors in 2027.

THUNDER RIDGE’S UNIQUE OWNERSHIP MODEL PUTS COMMUNITY FOCUS FIRST

Thunder Ridge Motorsport Park in the Bay of Plenty will have a unique ownership structure amongst NZ race tracks – and it’s all about making the circuit and its events accessible to all.

The circuit will operate as a non-profit sports trust – able to host regular events and activities but also compelled to put its community and customers first.

All profits from operating the circuit will be poured back into the further development of the venue. The initial circuit will be a basic club track, but over time the profits will allow for more car park sealing, club house buildings, viewing areas and such like.

There has been interest since the new circuit was announced. As well as car enthusiasts buying up the overwhelming majority of garage space planned for the track, there has been interest in on-track activity from all forms of automotive circuit racing in NZ.

Drifting, motorcycle racing, karting, track days, public open days and even cycling events are also likely to be on the agenda for the new track and there has even been international interest in regards to running a round of an Asian championship at the track.

At its heart though, Thunder Ridge will remain one hundred per cent community focused.

It is unique in New Zealand in its ownership structure. As the only NZ circuit operating as a non-profit trust, its primary mission must always be to provide community recreation. As such under the sports trust model, all profit must be re-invested back into the circuit.

Amongst a variety of benefits, the Thunder Ridge ownership structure safeguards the land for public use and potentially unlocks specialized funding and tax benefits - Sports Trusts in NZ can apply for specific grants from bodies that strictly exclude commercial or privately owned facilities. That’s not just good fortune, it’s been an active objective by the group behind the new circuit.

"Accessibility for the communities we will serve will always be paramount,” explained Chairman of Thunder Ridge Motorsport Park Trust, Tony Roberts.

“It always was from the moment we decided to embark on the project. Open to public days, track days and a huge array of community orientated activity on top of the bread and butter motorsport is the way to go for the future, we are convinced of that.

“We even plan to launch the track to the region by allowing every rate payer to bring along their car and have a drive around with only a small administration charge. “We want their interest, we want them to be part of the facility’s future and of course we want them to be engaged with everything that will happen on the track so it becomes an integral part of the community and develops and operates as a high-quality facility that is genuinely customer focused.”

CONTACT US
[email protected]

Thunder Ridge Foundation Member opportunities running out

Lifelong benefits to early stakeholders won’t be repeated

Opportunities to become a Foundation Member of the Bay of Plenty’s new Thunder Ridge Motorsport Park are set to end early.

Foundation Members will enjoy lifetime benefits of being a stakeholder in Thunder Ridge with a package - yet to be confirmed - that will likely include up to 45 free practice days on the circuit each year, access to selected events, their name on a Roll of Honour board and a one-time-only price on one of the new garages.

Interest in the new facility from the motorsport community, and from other sporting codes keen to use the circuit, has been massive with social media posts attracting hundreds of ‘likes’ and videos attracting thousands of views. And it’s meant sales are well ahead of schedule, despite the tough economic climate.

“It’s certainly been an eye opener and we are encouraged by the interest, which we think shows how important this project is to the regional and wider motorsport communities,” said Thunder Ridge’s Tony Roberts.

“The intensity of work on the project is now ramping up significantly and the dream of another track in the Bay of Plenty after the demise of Bay Park is racing towards reality at a frankly alarming rate.”

“That said, the reality is that we do expect to sell out of the circuit garages sooner than we expected. This won’t be the start of a regular sales pitch to the motorsport community, we have sold 37 from a planned 48. There are six firm enquiries relating to the remaining 11 and that leaves just five.

“It is not likely we will build any more in the immediate future so the right thing to do is alert the motorsport community to the fact that opportunities to be a Foundation Member are slipping away and being a Foundation Member is always going to come with the best deal and best benefits.

“If you really do want to be part of the Thunder Ridge future and community, we don’t recommend you sit around in neutral!”

The circuit layout is now finalised, infrastructure including barriers and buildings from the old Pukekohe circuit is now at the TECT Park location ready for installation and the timescale until the opening meeting being finalised.

Interested parties will deal directly with circuit owners. Contact Tony Roberts at [email protected]

For more information head to www.thunderridge.co.nz

Thunder Ridge is a not-for-profit sports trust supporting grassroots motorsport in New Zealand.

Opening in December 2027 with your support, the 70-hectare facility will feature a 3.3km circuit, garages, clubrooms, a café, and camping.

Kiwi rev heads will soon have another place to race 😎

Thanks for all the support of Thunder Ridge, we really appreciate it! Remember we still have some garages for sale at the old price that can be secured with a deposit of $10,000 plus GST. Email Tony Roberts at [email protected] for all the details. Up to 45 free practice days a year, so combine with a couple of car mates to secure a garage now!

Easymoves doing an awesome job for us all. Very pleased to save these building as we are going to get plenty of use out of them.

Thunder Ridge Motorsport Park, the Pukekohe building move We have the buildings on the move. Big thanks to Easymoves Ltd for making it easy.

Another Building arrived at Thunder Ridge this morning thanks to Easy Moves Ltd! Photo Robert Jack

Time to do a lap of Thunder Ridge Motorsport Park, the first cut. Please like the page to keep updated on the progress.

Thunder Ridge Motorsport Park Thunder Ridge Aerial Lap