Taupo International Motorsport Park, Racing Circuit

Taupo International Motorsport Park is a permanent racing circuit on Broadlands Road near the town of Taupo, in New Zealand's North Island. It began life in 1959 when the Taupo Car Club carved out a short dirt track, set against the backdrop of the volcanic Mount Tauhara, which was later sealed and used for club racing for decades. A major NZ$14 million expansion, with a layout designed by former Formula One driver Chris Amon, transformed it into a full international-standard course that opened in March 2006 and was later homologated to FIA Grade 2. The new circuit can be split into shorter configurations via link roads, allowing several layouts for testing, corporate days and lower-level competition. Taupo hosted New Zealand rounds of the A1 Grand Prix series from 2007 to 2009 before financial difficulties led to changes in direction and ownership. It was renamed Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in 2015 in tribute to the late driver and constructor, before businessman and racer Tony Quinn, who also owns Highlands and Hampton Downs, purchased it in 2021 and restored the Taupo name. Since 2024 it has hosted the New Zealand round of the Australian Supercars Championship, the first such international visit in many years. Alongside the national racing calendar it stages the Taupo Historic Grand Prix and motorcycle events, and operates a membership model focused on motorsport, tourism and community use.