One of the biggest names in New Zealand motorsport history says he’s delighted that the Bay of Plenty will get a new motorsport facility in Thunder Ridge Motorsport Park.
Five-time Gold Star winner and 1983 New Zealand Grand Prix winner David Oxton believes it will be warmly embraced by motorsport fans and sports fans throughout the region.
And Oxton – one of New Zealand’s motorsport royalty alongside names like Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme, Chris Amon, Howden Ganley, Graeme Lawrence, Graeme McRae and Kenny Smith – thinks it will make a huge contribution to the sport in New Zealand in the long-term.
In his day, Oxton was a single seater specialist – starting his single seater career in 1967 in the then National Formula 1.5 litre race cars alongside Lawrence, McRae, Smith and many others before sharing the grids with the visiting Formula One drivers in the iconic Tasman Series – widely regarded as the “Golden Era” of NZ motor racing.
David was there too – and highly competitive – when Formula Atlantic ran in the Bay during its halcyon days of the late seventies when drivers like Keke Rosberg – who went on to win the F1 World Championship in 1982 – thrilled the crowds with his press-on, kerb-hopping style around the track in Fred Oppert’s iconic light blue Chevrons.
Ironically Oxton was not a big fan of the Bay Park circuit itself – or at least it wasn’t a big fan of him. “I blew a few engines there and crashed a few cars so it certainly wasn’t my favourite track,” he said.
“But the fans loved it. It was close enough to Hamilton and Auckland that they came in their thousands for the holiday race meetings at Labour Weekend, New Year and Easter. This was in much the same way as events at Levels and Teretonga where the meetings were also very well supported by the local community.
“Bay Park was the dream of two men who made their dream reality. Graham Pierce and Peter Hanna changed the face of motor racing in NZ for both competitors and fans alike with their positive enthusiasm and their innovation to try new ideas.
“They brought F5000 cars for a demo in 1969. Then in the 1970s they brought Aussie saloon car greats like Moffat, Brock, Geoghan, Gardiner and Beechey to do battle with our heroes Richards, Fahey, Coppins, Dawson, Riley and Nazer.
“Pierce and Hanna brought a refreshing change to NZ motor racing promotion with their positive and accommodating style much the same as the Thunder Ridge principals led by Tony Roberts are doing right now and they already have the support of the motor racing community and fans alike with their exciting development of a brand new Bay of Plenty circuit.
“I don’t think I am alone in terms of the old guard of motorsport in New Zealand in hoping that Thunder Ridge will bring regular motorsport back to the Bay of Plenty and that fans will have something exciting to be part of in their region.
“Who knows, it may even revive interest from the younger generations in circuit racing and being involved in the sport not only as drivers but also marshals and officials. I think we would all hope for that.
Roberts was delighted to have the endorsement of Oxton, but says the legend is not alone.
“We’ve had support from all quarters and that can be seen not only from verbal support like this from David but also material support in terms of the sale of our Foundation garages, which have gone exceptionally well and are now very close to being at capacity for the first stage.”
The new circuit is still on schedule to open its doors in 2027.
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