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ITM Circuit Denny Hulme

Situated near Tangiwai in the central North Island, ITM Circuit Denny Hulme is one of New Zealand's most distinctive permanent racing circuits. Opened in 1978 and measuring 3.4 kilometres in length, the circuit is best known for its iconic 1.2-kilometre long Straight and old-school flowing layout.

While many New Zealand circuits have undergone extensive redesigns and redevelopment projects, Circuit Denny Hulme has remained largely unchanged since opening. The result is a circuit that today provides a rare glimpse into the design philosophy of the late 1970s, rewarding commitment, momentum and precision rather than stop-start corner combinations.

Construction and Opening

The circuit was developed during New Zealand motorsport's boom period of the 1970s. Several members of local racing clubs had long argued that the central North Island lacked a major permanent venue between Taupo and Manawatu. Following several years of planning and fundraising, construction began on a large section of sheep and cattle grazing land overlooking the Rangipo Plateau.

The project was supported by local businesses, farming interests and motorsport enthusiasts from throughout the region. Unlike some of the country's larger facilities, Denny Hulme was designed primarily as a competitor's circuit rather than a spectator venue, with an emphasis placed on flowing corners and high average speeds.

When it opened in 1978, the circuit immediately attracted praise from drivers and riders alike. The layout's long straights and sweeping corners made it popular with touring cars and motorcycles, while its exposed location ensured that weather often played a significant role in racing.

The circuit was named in honour of New Zealand's only Formula One World Champion, Denny Hulme, whose success on the international stage inspired an entire generation of Kiwi racers.

Growth Through the 1980s

The 1980s proved to be a busy decade for the venue despite few changes to the actual circuit.

A permanent timing tower was added in 1981, replacing the original portable facilities used during the circuit's first seasons. Three years later, additional spectator banking facilities were constructed around the NGK Hairpin after growing crowds attended national motorcycle championship rounds.

The late 1980s also saw the beginning of annual drag and sprint meetings on the straight. Although never intended to function as a dedicated drag strip, the enormous straight proved ideal for club-level acceleration events and remains a popular feature of the venue today.

International Recognition

By the early 1990s, the circuit had established itself as a regular fixture on the national motorsport calendar.

While many expected major layout changes to follow, circuit management instead focused on improving facilities and maintaining the venue's traditional character. Small additions included new paddock sheds, expanded camping facilities, and improved access roads, but the layout itself remained largely unchanged.

The circuit's greatest moment arrived in 1998 when it secured a place on the World Superbike Championship calendar.

To meet international requirements, a significant investment was made into safety improvements. The pit lane was completely revamped, gravel traps were enlarged, barriers were relocated, and runoff areas were expanded throughout the circuit. New motorcycle-friendly kerbing was also installed, replacing several older concrete kerbs that riders had long criticised.

Crucially, organisers resisted pressure to alter the circuit layout itself. The flowing nature of the course was considered one of its greatest strengths and remained unchanged.

The World Superbike competition visited the venue for three consecutive seasons. Riders frequently praised the fast, natural character of the circuit and its unique setting beneath Mount Ruapehu.

Although the championship departed after its third appearance due to wider calendar changes, the event remains the only major international series ever hosted by the circuit.

New era of racing

A new race control building was completed in 2000 overlooking the start-finish line, replacing the original timing tower and providing modern facilities for officials and broadcasters.Beyond this, development came in gradually rather than through large scale projects. Additional garages, maintenance sheds,and paddock facilities appeared over time.

Circuit Characteristics

The main straight is among the longest found at any permanent New Zealand circuit and regularly produces some of the highest speeds in domestic motorsport. The heavy braking zone into the turn 1 NGK Hairpin has become the circuit's primary overtaking opportunity and is widely regarded as one of the hardest braking corners in the country.

The circuit's exposed location also creates challenges. rapidly changing temperatures and occasional snow and fog drifting from Mt Ruapehu can dramatically alter conditions during a race weekend.

Despite increasing pressure for redevelopment over the years, circuit management has consistently resisted major changes to the layout. As a result, ITM Circuit Denny Hulme remains one of the country's most authentic old-school racing circuits a venue whose reputation rests not on constant reinvention, but on a timeless design that has challenged generations of Kiwi racers.

A major breakthrough came in late 2007 when ITM Circuit Denny Hulme secured a five-year contract to host a round of the V8 Supercars Championship from 2008. The deal brought top-level touring car racing back to the venue and represented the most significant event on the circuit's calendar since its three-year stint hosting World Superbikes a decade earlier. The arrival of the Australian series also provided a welcome economic boost for both the circuit and the surrounding communities.

The inaugural event proved a success, drawing one of the largest crowds ever seen at the venue. Despite initial concerns about the circuit's relatively compact 3.4-kilometre layout, competitors praised the challenging nature of the track and the numerous overtaking opportunities created by the long straights and heavy-braking hairpins.

Strong attendance figures and positive feedback from teams saw the relationship between the circuit and V8 Supercars continue beyond the original agreement. Successive contract extensions followed, and what began as a five-year arrangement evolved into a permanent fixture on the championship calendar. Today, the ITM Circuit Denny Hulme round is regarded as one of the championship's most distinctive New Zealand events, combining modern touring car racing with one of New Zealand's most traditional and atmospheric motorsport venues.

Te Anau Motorsport Park was originally established in 1964 as a small grassroots racing venue built on farmland outside Te Anau by local motorsport volunteers and regional car club members. The original layout measured roughly one kilometre in length and consisted primarily of a simple flowing club circuit with minimal runoff, grass spectator banks and basic paddock facilities. Despite its modest beginnings, the track quickly became known within South Island motorsport circles for its enjoyable rhythm and surprisingly fast nature.

The venue remained largely unchanged through the 1960s and 1970s, hosting club racing, motorcycle competition, autocross events and local endurance races. Its rural Southland setting and naturally flowing layout gave it a distinctly old-school atmosphere, particularly during winter meetings where cold temperatures and unpredictable weather regularly played a role in races.

The first major redevelopment arrived in 1982, when the circuit underwent its initial expansion to better accommodate larger national events. Additional land was acquired surrounding the original layout, allowing the construction of several new sections and significantly increasing overall lap distance and average speed. The improvements also included revised paddock areas and upgraded spectator viewing banks.

Further development followed in 1985 and again in 1990 as the circuit steadily evolved from a small club venue into one of the South Island’s more important permanent motorsport facilities. These upgrades focused on improving circuit width, drainage and safety standards while intentionally preserving the fast-flowing nature that had become central to the track’s identity. By this stage the venue was regularly attracting touring cars, motorcycle championships and endurance events from around New Zealand.

A major modernisation project arrived in 1998 and remains the most significant change in the venue’s history. The redevelopment introduced substantial safety upgrades including gravel traps, expanded runoff areas and revised barrier systems, while several corners were reprofiled to improve racing quality and motorcycle safety. Modern kerbing designed specifically for bike competition replaced many of the older aggressive concrete kerbs which had developed a reputation for causing crashes during wet events.

Importantly, the redesign avoided sterilising the layout. Rather than introducing excessive slow-speed chicanes, the circuit retained its commitment-focused philosophy with long flowing corners, elevation changes and momentum-based racing remaining key characteristics of the lap.

The venue entered a new era in 2007 with the construction of an entirely new pit and paddock complex. The old temporary pit structures were replaced by permanent garages, race control facilities, hospitality suites and modern media infrastructure. Open paddock areas remained a central part of the venue however, with organisers deliberately retaining the approachable grassroots atmosphere that had always distinguished the circuit from larger international-style facilities.

Today the main pit complex includes permanent team garages, race control, scrutineering facilities, corporate suites and elevated spectator viewing areas overlooking much of the circuit. Additional support garages and open paddock bays are also located throughout the paddock to support club-level events and grassroots categories.

The most recent major expansion occurred in 2018 with the addition of a permanent motocross circuit. Built in the infield, adjacent to the main straight, the motocross track features natural terrain sections, large bermed corners and rhythm sections designed to host both competitive racing and recreational riding.

The main circuit itself is best known for its flowing medium and high-speed corners, changing camber and old-school rhythm. Unlike many modern permanent circuits, Te Anau Motorsport Park avoids excessive stop-start corner combinations, instead rewarding momentum, precision and confidence. Several corners feature notable banking and elevation changes, while the circuit’s exposed Southland location often introduces strong winds, low temperatures and rapidly changing grip conditions.

The circuit has become particularly popular among touring car and Super Truck competitors, with the fast nature of the layout regularly producing close and aggressive racing. Motorcycle competitors have also long regarded the venue as one of New Zealand’s most enjoyable permanent circuits thanks to its smooth corner transitions and flowing design philosophy.

Today the venue hosts a wide variety of categories including national touring cars, GT racing, motorcycle championships, motocross competition, endurance racing, drifting, and club motorsport. Track days, driver training and grassroots events ensure the facility remains active throughout much of the year.