Manfeild Autocourse, Motorsport circuit in Feilding, New Zealand
Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon is a motor racing circuit in Feilding whose main 3.030 km layout has three long straights and is the only section used for car racing, including the New Zealand Grand Prix. A 1.500 km back circuit serves club meetings and driver training, and the full 4.511 km course is the longest race circuit in New Zealand when in use. The pit paddock has workshop garages, hospitality suites and sealed access roads.
The Manawatu Car Club built the circuit in 1973 with help from Formula One driver Chris Amon; the first event was held that year. In 1990 extra land was bought and the track extended to 4.511 km to meet international standards. In October 2004 the Manawatu District Council, Feilding IA&P and the car club formed the Manfeild Park Trust. The circuit was renamed Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon on 25 November 2016.
The name Manfeild combines Manawatu, the region, and Feilding, the town. On 25 November 2016 the circuit was renamed Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon, honouring the New Zealand Formula One driver who had helped the Manawatu Car Club build the venue in 1973. The site also hosts agricultural and pastoral shows, horse events, conferences, cycle races and fireworks.
Competition car racing, including the New Zealand Grand Prix, runs only on the 3.030 km main circuit, which holds an FIA licence for clockwise running only. The 1.500 km back circuit hosts club meetings and driver training. The full 4.511 km layout is rarely used; motorcycles may use it only with an airfence brought in for the back straight wall.
The FIA licence covers only the 3.030 km main circuit, and only in a clockwise direction; the 1.500 km back section has no FIA licence and is used for club meetings and driver training. Motorcycles may run anticlockwise with the steward's approval, and Greg Murphy set an anticlockwise record of 1:00.81 in a Formula Holden Reynard 92D in 1995.
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