RUAPUNA RACEWAY
Ruapuna is a motor racing circuit located in Canterbury, New Zealand. Opening in November 1963, the track offers 6 different configurations and hosts a variety of events throughout the year.
Website: ruapuna.co.nz
Contact: admin@ruapuna.co.nz
Address: 107 Hasketts Road, Christchurch
Circuit One
Length 3.33km
Turns: 11
FIA Grade: 3
National Grade:
Circuit Two (not pictured)
Length: 3.44km
Turns: 14
National Grade: 1
Circuit Three (not pictured)
Length: 2.45km
Turns: 8
National Grade: 2
Circuit Four (not pictured)
Length: 2.35km
Turns: 6
National Grade: 2
FURTHER CIRCUIT INFORMATION
Max Starters
Circuits One & Two
| Saloon, All Historic & GT Cars | All Single Seaters and Open Wheel cars | |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | 50 | 40 |
| Over 1 and up to 2 hours | 50 | |
| Over 2 and up to 4 hours | 54 | |
| Over 4 and up to 12 hours | 61 | |
| Over 12 hours | 65 |
Circuits Three & Four
| Saloon, All Historic & GT Cars | All Single Seaters and Open Wheel cars | |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | 36 | 29 |
| Over 1 and up to 2 hours | 42 | |
| Over 2 and up to 4 hours | 45 | |
| Over 4 and up to 12 hours | 51 | |
| Over 12 hours | 54 |
Ruapuna Circuits Under 2km
| Saloon, All Historic & GT Cars | All Single Seaters and Open Wheel cars | |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | 32 | 26 |
Circuit History
Ruapuna is a motor racing circuit located in Canterbury, New Zealand. Opening in November 1963, the track offers 6 different configurations and hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including large scale events like Skope Classic, Super Weekend, South Island Endurance Series and Speed Festival, as well as specific racing and car events such as Club Days, Drift events, and Race School experiences.
Canterbury Car Club was formed in 1947 with events held at various venues across Christchurch. As the club grew, a permanent track was required. The volunteers of the club worked extremely hard to open the track in 1963.
Over the years, Ruapuna has undertaken several upgrades to both the track and its facilities. The park features two grandstands, Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme which combined offer 1200 permanent seats as well as large embankments for those hot summer days! The circuit was originally a fairly simple sealed surface road course at just a mile in length. However, it was great for expanding the club. In 1976 the main straight was widened and a staging area built to allow drag racing to take place on the track. In 1984 the tracks clubrooms were built, now known as the Chris Amon Clubrooms. The biggest changes came in 1993, when the track was extended to it’s length today with a programme of major renovations to follow. These included a control tower, 32 covered garages, a fuel bay for competitors to purchase fuel on site, a new viewing lounge with a balcony at the start/finish line, as well as an electronic timing suite with all cars required to have or hire transponders.
Today, the circuit retains a busy calendar of events with the Canterbury Car Club organising its own calendar for National Race Meetings, ClubSport and Drift events. In 2023, naming rights was picked up by local Christchurch vehicle retailers Cockram Motor Group under the flagship brand Euromarque.