Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon

{{Short description|Motorsport race track in New Zealand}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}} {{Infobox motorsport venue | name = Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon | former_names = Manfeild Autocourse (1973–2016) | location = [[Feilding]], [[New Zealand]] | coordinates = {{coord|40|14|15|S|175|33|26|E|scale:15000|display=it}} | fia_grade = 3 | opened = 1973 | image = [[Image:Manfeild Autocourse track map (New Zealand)_clockwise.svg|class=skin-invert|250px]] | image_caption = Full Circuit (Clockwise) (1990–present) | track_map = [[File:Manfeild Autocourse track map (New Zealand) clockwise short.svg|class=skin-invert|250px]] | track_map_caption = Short Grand Prix Circuit (Clockwise) (1973–present) | events = '''Current:''' '''[[GR86 Championship New Zealand]]''' (2014–2021, 2023–2024, 2026) '''Former:''' [[Superbike World Championship|World SBK]] (1988–1990, 1992) [[Formula Regional Oceania Trophy|FR Oceania]] (2005–2007, 2021, 2023–2025) [[New Zealand Grand Prix]] (1992–1995, 2008–2020) [[NZ Touring Cars Championship|Super V8 Series]] (2003–2021, 2024) [[V8SuperTourer]] (2012) | layout = Full Circuit (1990–present) | length_km = 4.511 | length_mi = 2.803 | turns = 13 | record_time = | record_driver = | record_car = | record_year = | record_class = | layout2 = Short Grand Prix Circuit (1973–present) | length2_km = 3.030 | length2_mi = 1.883 | turns2 = 7 | record_time2 = 1:01.457 | record_driver2 = {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Simon Wills]] | record_car2 = [[Reynard F3000 cars#94D|Reynard 94D]] | record_year2 = 2000 | record_class2 = [[Formula Holden]] }}

'''Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon''' (formerly '''Manfeild Autocourse''') is a motor sport circuit located in [[Feilding]], New Zealand. It was built by the [http://www.motorsportmanawatu.org.nz/ Manawatu Car Club] <ref>{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815215345/http://www.motorsportmanawatu.org.nz/|date=15 August 2013}}</ref> in 1973 as a purpose-built course. In 1990 extra land was acquired and the circuit extension built, bringing Manfeild up to international standards. The circuit was renamed the Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon, in honour of former New Zealand [[Formula One]] driver [[Chris Amon]], on 25 November 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/manfeild-circuit-renamed-honour-chris-amon/|title=Manfeild circuit renamed in honour of Chris Amon|publisher=Speedcafe.com|access-date=25 November 2016|archive-date=25 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125111602/http://www.speedcafe.com/2016/11/24/manfeild-circuit-renamed-honour-chris-amon/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History== The original {{cvt|3.030|km|mi|abbr=on}} circuit was built by the Manawatu Car Club Incorporated with the first event being held in 1973. A purpose designed venue with an uninterrupted view of the action, the circuit has workshop garages, hospitality suites and toilet blocks and sealed access roads throughout the pit paddock area.

The name "Manfeild" was derived from "Manawatu" being the region the circuit is in and "Feilding" the town it is in.

In 1990 the Car Club began looking at wider issues of governance and development. Extra land acquired extended the track to full International standards, and also accommodates Agricultural/Pastoral Shows.

In October 2004 three land owners, [http://www.mdc.govt.nz/ Manawatu District Council], Feilding IA&P and the Manawatu Car Club deeded their land and formed the Manfeild Park Trust. 2022 board members are Hamish Waugh (chairman), Amanda Linsley, Stefan Speller, Stella Rackham and Kevin Hansen.

Manfeild Park now encompasses what is now known as the Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon and the developing land that was the Feilding Race Course.

Manfeild has held the [[New Zealand Grand Prix]] on seventeen occasions (1992–1995, 2008–2020).

== The circuit == The full circuit is {{cvt|4.511|km|mi|abbr=on}} with long three long straights and offers many passing opportunities and when in (rare) use is the longest race circuit in New Zealand. A quick lap around the circuit involves smooth entries and exits, maintaining good corner speed and maximising terminal speeds on the straights.

The main {{cvt|3.030|km|mi|abbr=on}} circuit is the only section used for competition car racing including the [[New Zealand Grand Prix]]. The Grand Prix is not held over the full circuit. The [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] track license is only for the main {{cvt|3.030|km|mi|abbr=on}} circuit in a clockwise direction only. However Motorcycle racing can be held in the anticlockwise direction if approved by the Steward on the day. Motorcycles can also use the full circuit, but it is not advised unless a protective airfence is bought in for the back straight wall.

The back {{cvt|1.500|km|mi|abbr=on}} circuit is used for club meetings and driver training.

==Layout configurations== <gallery> File:Manfeild Autocourse track map (New Zealand)_clockwise.svg|Full Circuit (Clockwise) File:Manfeild Autocourse track map (New Zealand) clockwise short.svg|Short Grand Prix Circuit (Clockwise) File:Manfeild Autocourse track map (New Zealand).svg|Full Circuit (Anti-Clockwise) </gallery>

==Lap records==

The overall {{cvt|3.030|km|mi|abbr=on}} lap record has been updated to reflect the correct record for the Clockwise direction. While [[Earl Bamber]] does hold the TRS record on Manfeild, it is not the official overall record. Simon Wills took the record off [[Graeme Lawrence]] who set a 1.01.700 record in 1975 in a F5000 [[Lola T332]] (Car#14 painting in Marlboro Colours). There is record of faster times around Manfeild, but not during a race. Kenny Smith is reputed to have completed a 0.58 lap in a F5000 set in the early seventies, but it was only a demo lap. Johnny Reid has also completed a sub minute lap in an A1GP car, but again only as a demonstration run and promotion for the series running in New Zealand at the time.

While Manfeild now only runs clockwise, there is also an anti-clockwise record held by Greg Murphy at 1.00.81 in a [[Formula Holden]] [[Reynard F3000 cars#92D|Reynard 92D]] set in 1995. As of February 2026, the fastest official race lap records at the Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon are listed as:

{| class="wikitable" !Category!!Time!!Driver!!Vehicle!!Event!!Date |- !colspan=6| Short Grand Prix Circuit (1973–present): {{cvt|3.030|km|mi|abbr=on}} |- | [[Formula Holden]] || '''1:01.457''' || [[Simon Wills]] || [[Reynard F3000 cars#94D|Reynard 94D]] || [[Tasman Series|2000 Manfeild Formula Holden Tasman Cup round]] || 26 November 2000 |- | [[Formula 5000]] || '''1:01.700'''<ref>{{cite web |title=1976 New Zealand Gold Star Mick Page Memorial Trophy |url=https://www.racingyears.com/race/1976_New_Zealand_Gold_Star_Mick_Page_Memorial_Trophy |date=14 December 1975 |access-date=5 May 2026}}</ref> || [[Graeme Lawrence]] || [[Lola T332]] || [[Formula 5000#List of F5000 Champions|1975 Manfeild New Zealand Gold Star round]] || 14 December 1975 |- | [[Formula Regional Oceania Trophy#2015–2019|Toyota Racing Series]] || '''1:02.845''' || [[Brandon Maïsano]] || [[Tatuus#Racecars|Tatuus FT-50]] || [[2015 New Zealand Grand Prix]] || 15 February 2015 |- | [[Daytona Prototype]] (GTRNZ) || '''1:02.849'''<ref>{{cite web |title=NZ Grand Prix 2019 Trade Zone GT1/GT2 - Race 15 - 10 laps |url=https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Sessions/5228453 |date=7 February 2019 |access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref> || [[John DeVeth]] || [[Crawford DP03]] || 2019 Manfeild GTRNZ round || 10 February 2019 |- | [[Formula Regional]] || '''1:03.539'''<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 Speedworks MZNZ Championship R4 Castrol Toyota Racing Series Race 3 Scratch 22 Laps Race (22 Laps) started at 11:38:56 |url=https://www.toyota.co.nz/globalassets/toyota-racing-website/toyota-racing-series/calendar-and-results/2021/round-3/ctrs-rd3-manfeild-12-14-feb-2021_race-3.pdf |date=14 February 2021 |access-date=15 January 2023}}</ref> || [[Matthew Payne]] || [[Tatuus FT-60]] || [[2021 Toyota Racing Series|2021 Manfeild TRS round]] || 14 February 2021 |- | [[Superbike racing]] || '''1:04.736'''<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 NZSBK - Round 4 - Manfeild Superbike/Superbike B - Superbike/Superbike B - Race 2 |url=https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Sessions/5274775 |date=30 March 2019 |access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref> || [[Sloan Frost]] || [[Suzuki GSX-R1000]] || 2019 Manfeild NZ SBK round || 30 March 2019 |- | [[Superbike World Championship|World SBK]] || '''1:06.970''' || [[Doug Polen]] || [[Ducati 888|Ducati 888 SBK]] || [[:it:Gran Premio di superbike di Manfeild 1992|1992 Manfeild World SBK round]] || 25 October 1992 |- | [[Trans-Am Series#TA2|TA2]] || '''1:10.035'''<ref>{{cite web |title=TA2 NZ - NZ Circuit Records |url=https://ta2nz.co.nz/ |date=February 2026 |access-date=5 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2026 Repco Nextgen NZ Championship Manfeild Grand Finale - SP Tools TA2 NZ Championship - Race 1 - Result |url=https://nextgennz.co.nz/session/475 |date=28 February 2026 |access-date=5 May 2026}}</ref> || [[Dylan Grant]] || [[Dodge Challenger (2008)#Racing|Dodge Challenger Trans-Am]] || [[2025–26 TA2 NZ Championship|2026 Manfeild TA2 NZ round]] || 28 February 2026 |- | [[GR86 Championship New Zealand|Toyota 86 Championship]] || '''1:17:279'''<ref>{{cite web |title=NZ Grand Prix Manfeild 14/15 February 2015 Toyota Finance 86 Race 20 - Race (15 Laps) started at 14:56:14 |url=https://www.toyota.co.nz/contentassets/d14cea4fa3cf404fb4f635c58b4e3e2a/tr86-14-15-round-5-race-3.pdf |date=15 February 2015 |access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref> || [[Tom Alexander (racing driver)|Tom Alexander]] || [[Toyota 86#Motorsport|Toyota 86]] || [[2014–15 Toyota Finance 86 Championship|2015 Manfeild Toyota 86 Championship round]] || 15 February 2015 |- |}

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://www.manfeild.co.nz/motorsport.html Official website] *[http://www.d1nz.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=116&Itemid=74 D1NZ Series' tracks info] *[http://www.toyotaracing.co.nz/default.aspx?pageid=415&yearflag=2008 Toyota Racing Series' tracks info] *[https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Manfeild+Autocourse,+Feilding&ie=UTF8&ll=-40.237376,175.559034&spn=0.007781,0.020084&t=k&z=16 Manfeild Autocourse in Google Maps]

[[Category:Superbike World Championship circuits]] [[Category:Sports venues in Manawatū-Whanganui]] [[Category:Motorsport venues in New Zealand]] [[Category:New Zealand Grand Prix]] [[Category:Feilding]]