Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon
Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon (formerly Manfeild Autocourse) is a motor sport circuit located 14 kilometres from Palmerston North in 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 re-named 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 |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC +12 |
| Coordinates | 40°14′15″S 175°33′26″E |
| Major events | D1NZ Formula Ford New Zealand V8's Toyota Racing Series NZ Drift Series New Zealand Grand Prix V8SuperTourer |
| Full Circuit | |
| Length | 4.511 km (2.803 mi) |
| Grand Prix Circuit | |
| Length | 3.033 km (1.885 mi) |
| Turns | 7 |
| Race lap record | 1:01.457 (Simon Wills, Simon Wills Motorsport Reynard 94D, 26 November 2000, Formula Holden) |
History
The original 3.033 kilometres (1.88 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. The Trust currently has four appointed Trustees: Gordon Smith, Rod Titcombe, John Baxter, and Dean Williamson.
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 overall 3.033 km 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 overall record. Simon Wills took the record off Graeme Lawrence who set a 1.02.1 record in either 1975 or 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.
The current overall Saloon Car record is now held by John DeVeth in a Crawford DP (GT1 class) at 1.02.849 set on 10 February 2019
The overall Motorbike record is held by Sloan Frost on a Production Superbike at 1.04.736 on 30March 2019
The circuit
The circuit is 4.5 km 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 4.5 km long the main 3 km 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 4.5 km circuit. The FIA Track license is for the 3.033km 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 4.5 km circuit, but it is not advised unless a protective airfence is bought in for the 3 km back straight wall. The back 1.5 km circuit is used for club meetings and driver training.
References
- "Manfeild circuit renamed in honour of Chris Amon". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 25 November 2016.