Highlands Motorsport Park's three individual circuits are the core of this amazing new facility in Cromwell and can be used simultaneously as the three circuits or just as one main track.
Combined, they comprise the longest circuit in the country at 4.5km, (58,000sq m of track area) and can be raced in six different configurations.
Manager Mike Sentch says it is unusual for race tracks to be so versatile and this ``uniqueness'' really sets Highlands apart from other motor racing circuits in New Zealand.
Throw in special features like the bridge, steep 14-degree banked carousel, two runs through a forest, off-camber and constant-radius corners and the attraction of driving at Highlands Motorsport Park heightens. It is the only track in New Zealand that runs both clockwise and anticlockwise.
Members of the Highlands GT Club pay a joining fee and annual fee (which varies according to how many track days they wish to have), and can bring their race or road cars for a day of challenging themselves on the circuits.
GASOLINE ALLEY
If they don't want to trailer or drive their cars to the park there are 48 garages available to members in Gasoline Alley for leased storage.
For those who don't own a high-speed car, there is FASTLaps a company owned by Queenstown man Grant Aitken, who is one of the founding members of Highlands.
It provides the opportunity to hop in the passenger seat and be taken for ``a blast'' around the track in a factory Porsche GT3 996 Cup car.
GO-KART TRACK
For more fun on four wheels there is a 650m go- kart track open seven days a week. It has undulations mimicking the main tracks and is already proving a popular destination for companies wanting an enjoyable day out for their employees.
SCENIC FLIGHTS, WINE TASTING, DINING
With the added options of scenic flights with Highlands Aviation, a ride with a race car driver in a Porsche 996 GT3 Cup with FASTlaps, conferences at the Highlands National Motorsport Museum, and wine tasting and dining at The Nose Restaurant, the facility has a multiple appeal factor.
``We've had an amazing response from corporate groups and car manufacturers wanting to do drive days and a lot of companies ringing to see what we can do as a package,'' Mike said.
A skid pan, which Mike says is understood to be the biggest in the southern hemisphere, at 7000sqm and requiring 800 tonnes of asphalt, has been added to a section of the track that allows it to be entered at high speeds.
It has been designed for use by car manufacturers for tyre testing and can be watered and maintained wet in all conditions.
Another attractive section of track for car companies is the forest, where the track narrows from 12m to nine metres.
There are no barriers or markers to designate it as a race track and therefore it is perfect to film television commercials on.
CHILDREN'S TRACK
Children have not been forgotten: there is a pedal-car track designed as a scale model of Bathurst. A playground, picnic tables and gravel pit complete with toy diggers, mean the children will have ample entertainment while Mum or Dad play with the big toys.
If any of the Highlands Motorsport Park's amazing facilities interest you, call the office on (03) 445-4052 to make a booking to discuss a tailor- made event, or visit the website www.highlands.co.nz and check the contacts section to find the relevant person to talk to.
Come and see this incredible development during its opening weekend, March 30 and 31, then keep an eye out for an announcement in November on when the Australian GT Series will visit Highlands Motorsport Park.
You won't have to imagine what Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches look and sound like, as they will be right here racing on your back doorstep.