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Coordinates: 46°26′26″S, 168°15′39″E
Teretonga is a motor racing circuit south of Invercargill, New Zealand. It is home of the Southland Sports Car Club. It is said to be the southern most race track in the world.
[edit] History
Teretonga Park viewed from the air
- Since 1948 the Southland Sports Car Club Inc. has been one of the leading Clubs in the country. The Club entered the International motor race series in 1956 with the fastest-ever motor race on a road circuit at Ryal Bush. This led to the construction of Teretonga Park in 1957 at Sandy Point, the second purpose-built motor racing track in New Zealand. It was extended to its present configuration in 1966.
- In the golden age of NZ Motor Racing in the 60s and 70s, Teretonga has hosted many of the world’s greatest drivers for example, Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme, Chris Amon, Phil Hill, the list goes on. There is a fine display of memorabilia in the Clubrooms.
- The New Zealand Grand Prix was first held on Teretonga in January 2001. A record number of entries were received for this event, and it has again been held at Teretonga since the 4th & 5th of January, 2003.
- Regarded by many drivers as the best and safest track in the country, it has been up-graded on a continual basis.
- The regular racing programme includes rounds of the local Clubmans Series; featuring rounds of South Island Racing Registers and a very large Classic Car meeting in February of each year.
- The circuit is also used for Sprints and Motorkhanas. Other clubs run Motor Cycle and Drag Races at Teretonga.
- Since 1981 the Club has been actively engaged in the New Zealand Rally Championship.
- On 29 November 1988 the current outright lap record was set by Greg Murphy in a Formula Holden Reynard 92D The time was 51.206 at an average lap speed of 184 kph
