A new multi-million-dollar facility for karting and other wheeled sports has officially opened in South Auckland.
The Sir Colin Giltrap Raceway at Colin Dale Park in Puhinui Road, near the Auckland Airport, is a multi-purpose wheeled sports recreation and competition. It is the first of its kind in New Zealand, designed to meet international track rating and safety standards.
Stage one of the world-class facility is operational, with seven different track configurations, fencing, safety barriers, electronic flag points, a race control tower and a community hub and toilet facilities.
Anita Kinsman, Chair of the Colin Dale Park KartSport Development Charitable Trust, says the group was formed in 2017 when the KartSport Mt Wellington track was at risk of closure.
“The Trust’s vision was to build a facility that improved standards for the sport. Many karting tracks around the country are now 50 years old. We wanted our track to meet New Zealand and international standards to widen the scope of events that we can hold,” Anita says.
Plans are now underway for KartSport Mt Wellington and KartSport Auckland, previously based in Avondale, to amalgamate to use the new facility.
Another important part of the project was creating a venue for other wheeled sports, including cycling, bucket bikes (mini motorbikes) and roller skating.
“We wanted a facility that was not just for the karting community; something that could be used seven days a week by other wheeled sports and activities. There are so many groups looking for a surface like this for their sport and recreational activities.”
Giving other groups much-needed track time supports the local community while helping cover the costs of operating the facility and building future stages of the project.
The Trust is already talking to EVolocity, the EV programme inspiring young Kiwis to excel in sustainable engineering, about providing a venue for secondary school students to test the electric vehicles they have designed and built.
Road vehicles will be allowed on the track as part of a safe driver education programme.
“It’s fantastic for a motorsport venue to be able to provide space for that. It’s all about doing good in the community,” says Anita.
Another source of income for the Trust is a commercial kart hire company based at the track, allowing people to try the sport and catering for events such as corporate team building and special events.
Wiri Licensing Trust has backed the project by supporting the group’s application to Trillian Trust for $53,000 to build the community hub. The 120-square-metre structure consists of storage containers joined together with a domed roof, providing a sheltered space for raceway users to gather or use for prize givings or other events. It’s also home to a canteen and provides storage.
Karting is a family sport, Anita says, and it’s not uncommon to have three generations of one whānau at the track. “It’s fantastic to have this area to come together.”
Other groups holding events at the track will also be able to use the community hub, providing shared facilities until a pavilion and clubrooms are developed as part of phase two of the project.
Wiri Licensing Trust General Manager Kim Green says it is exciting to support a world-class grassroots motorsport facility being built in South Auckland.
“It’s fantastic to see a facility like this that will serve not just karting, but a wide range of groups using the track. The community hub will provide a place for people to come together, share the space and build connections, and we’re proud the Trust could play a part in supporting something that will benefit the wider community.”
The project has cost $6.9 million including GST to date and there is still work to be done to finish phase one, including a roof for the starting grid and improvements to the pit area. The Trust is also looking at track lighting which would allow track users to take advantage of the extended operating hours that have been approved for the facility.
The track held its official club day opening event in February, with the ceremony taking place in the community hub.
The amazing volunteers who have worked on the project were able to enjoy a practice day on the track last December and were joined by F1 star Liam Lawson.
IndyCar champ Scott Dixon and his family were at the track when the naming rights sponsorship was announced, honouring Sir Colin Giltrap for his tireless support of young racers across his lifetime.
Many of New Zealand’s most successful motorsport athletes got their start in karting and have been very supportive of the project, Anita says. The Trust hopes the new facility will help inspire the next generation of motorsport talent while also creating opportunities for the wider community to enjoy wheeled sports.
Local groups wishing to hire the track can get in touch with Anita by emailing chair@colindaleparkraceway.nz.
Photos courtesy of DJ Mills / Shutter Media Group and the Colin Dale Park KartSport Development Charitable Trust.
