Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon
Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon (formerly Manfeild Autocourse) is a motor sport circuit located in Feilding, New Zealand. It was built by the Manawatu Car Club in 1973 as a purpose-built course. In 1990 extra land was acquired and the circuit extension built, bringing Manfeild up to international standards. The circuit was renamed the Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon, in honour of former New Zealand Formula One driver Chris Amon, on 25 November 2016.[1]
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| Location | Feilding, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC+12:00 (NZST) UTC+13:00 (NZDT) |
| Coordinates | 40°14′15″S 175°33′26″E |
| FIA Grade | 3[lower-alpha 1] |
| Opened | 1973 |
| Former names | Manfeild Autocourse (1973–2016) |
| Major events | Current: FR Oceania (2005–2007, 2021, 2023) Toyota 86 Championship (2014–2021, 2023) Former: World SBK (1988–1990, 1992) Racer Products V8s (2003–2021) New Zealand Grand Prix (1992–1995, 2008–2020) V8SuperTourer (2012) |
| Full Circuit (1990–present) | |
| Length | 4.511 km (2.803 miles) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Short Grand Prix Circuit (1973–present) | |
| Length | 3.030 km (1.883 miles) |
| Turns | 7 |
| Race lap record | 1:01.457 (Simon Wills, Reynard 94D, 2000, Formula Holden) |
History
The original 3.030 km (1.883 mi) circuit was built by the Manawatu Car Club Incorporated with the first event being held in 1973. A purpose designed venue with an uninterrupted view of the action, the circuit has workshop garages, hospitality suites and toilet blocks and sealed access roads throughout the pit paddock area.
The name "Manfeild" was derived from "Manawatu" being the region the circuit is in and "Feilding" the town it is in.
In 1990 the Car Club began looking at wider issues of governance and development. Extra land acquired extended the track to full International standards, and also accommodates Agricultural/Pastoral Shows.
In October 2004 three land owners, Manawatu District Council, Feilding IA&P and the Manawatu Car Club deeded their land and formed the Manfeild Park Trust. 2022 board members are Hamish Waugh (chairman), Amanda Linsley, Stefan Speller, Stella Rackham and Kevin Hansen.
Manfeild Park now encompasses what is now known as the Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon and the developing land that was the Feilding Race Course.
Manfeild has held the New Zealand Grand Prix on seventeen occasions (1992–1995, 2008–2020).
The circuit
The circuit is 4.511 km (2.803 mi) with long three long straights and offers many passing opportunities. A quick lap around the circuit involves smooth entries and exits, maintaining good corner speed and maximising terminal speeds on the straights.
While the overall circuit is 4.511 km (2.803 mi) long the main 3.030 km (1.883 mi) circuit is the only section used for competition car racing including the New Zealand Grand Prix. The Grand Prix is not held over the full 4.511 km (2.803 mi) circuit. The FIA Track license is for the 3.030 km (1.883 mi) circuit in a clockwise direction only. However Motorcycle racing can be held in the anticlockwise direction if approved by the Steward on the day. Motorcycles can also use the full 4.511 km (2.803 mi) circuit, but it is not advised unless a protective airfence is bought in for the 3.030 km (1.883 mi) back straight wall. The back 1.500 km (0.932 mi) circuit is used for club meetings and driver training.
Layout configurations
- Full Circuit (Clockwise)
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Short Grand Prix Circuit (Clockwise).svg.png.webp)
Full Circuit (Anti-Clockwise)
Lap records
The overall 3.030 km (1.883 mi) lap record has been updated to reflect the correct record for the Clockwise direction. While Earl Bamber does hold the TRS record on Manfeild, it is not the official overall record. Simon Wills took the record off Graeme Lawrence who set a 1.02.100 record in 1976 in a F5000 Lola T332 (Car#14 painting in Marlboro Colours). There is record of faster times around Manfeild, but not during a race. Kenny Smith is reputed to have completed a 0.58 lap in a F5000 set in the early seventies, but it was only a demo lap. Johnny Reid has also completed a sub minute lap in an A1GP car, but again only as a demonstration run and promotion for the series running in New Zealand at the time.
While Manfeild now only runs clockwise, there is also an anti-clockwise record held by Greg Murphy at 1.00.81 in a Formula Holden Reynard 92D set in 1995. As of February 2021, the fastest official race lap records at the Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon are listed as:
| Category | Driver | Vehicle | Time | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short Grand Prix Circuit: 3.030 km (1973–present) | |||||
| Formula Holden | 1:01.457 | Simon Wills | Reynard 94D | 2000 Manfeild Formula Holden Tasman Cup round | 26 November 2000 |
| Formula 5000 | 1:02.100 | Graeme Lawrence[2] | Lola T332 | 1976 Manfeild New Zealand Gold Star round | 11 January 1976 |
| Toyota Racing Series | 1:02.845 | Brandon Maïsano | Tatuus FT-50 | 2015 New Zealand Grand Prix | 15 February 2015 |
| Daytona Prototype | 1:02.849[3] | John DeVeth | Crawford DP03 | 2019 Manfeild GTR NZ round | 10 February 2019 |
| Formula Regional | 1:03.539[4] | Matthew Payne | Tatuus FT-60 | 2021 Manfeild TRS round | 14 February 2021 |
| Superbike racing | 1:04.736[5] | Sloan Frost | Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 2019 Manfeild NZ SBK round | 30 March 2019 |
| World SBK | 1:06.970 | Doug Polen | Ducati 888 SBK | 1992 Manfeild World SBK round | 25 October 1992 |
| Toyota 86 Championship | 1:17:279[6] | Tom Alexander | Toyota 86 | 2015 Manfeild Toyota 86 Championship round | 15 February 2015 |
Notes
- Circuit Chris Amon's Grade 3 licence expired 1 August 2022.
References
- "Manfeild circuit renamed in honour of Chris Amon". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
- "Post Office Savings Bank NZ Gold Star Championship 1976 standings". Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- "NZ Grand Prix 2019 Trade Zone GT1/GT2 - Race 15 - 10 laps". 7 February 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- "2021 Speedworks MZNZ Championship R4 Castrol Toyota Racing Series Race 3 Scratch 22 Laps Race (22 Laps) started at 11:38:56" (PDF). 14 February 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- "2019 NZSBK - Round 4 - Manfeild Superbike/Superbike B - Superbike/Superbike B - Race 2". 30 March 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- "NZ Grand Prix Manfeild 14/15 February 2015 Toyota Finance 86 Race 20 - Race (15 Laps) started at 14:56:14" (PDF). 15 February 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2022.