| 5 Taupō International Motorsport Park (TIMP) COMMUNITY T TAlexia Johnston Great place for the team to gather MX5 Fun Drive Slalom. Go Karts for Groups (below). Taupō International Motorsport Park (TIMP) and Events Centre is celebrating a significant milestone after being named a finalist for Venue of the Year at the 2025 New Zealand Events Association (NZEA) Awards. The team behind the motorsport and events hub agree the recognition is not only a proud achievement, but also a reflection of the collaboration and investment that has transformed the facility into one of New Zealand’s top destinations. Group marketing manager Rachel Lister-Chubb is among those celebrating the group’s success. She said the team was “pinch yourself proud” to be selected as a finalist. Entrepreneur and motorsport enthusiast Tony Quinn, who also owns Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell and Hampton Downs in the Waikato, purchased Taupō International Motorsport Park in 2021. Since then, millions of dollars have been injected into the venue, transforming it into a facility capable of hosting major international events. Under the leadership of CEO Josie Spillane and the Taupō team, the venue has quickly become a go-to-destination. Strategic upgrades and strong collaboration with Major Events New Zealand, Taupō District Council and Supercars have allowed the park to host significant occasions, including the region’s first-ever Supercars event. The Track to Town parade, the Women in Motorsport Breakfast, and community- focused events like Earth Day have also been hosted at the venue, ensuring economic and social benefits for the wider region. While motorsport is at the heart of the venue, TIMP has also become a popular destination for conferences, corporate functions, and business events. Its central North Island location makes it easily accessible from across the country, with a range of accommodation options nearby. The park features seven modern and flexible suites that can be arranged for strategy sessions to large-scale conferences, each opening onto balconies that overlook the rural surroundings. Service Foods head of marketing Gemma Fitzpatrick is among those impressed by what it has to offer. “We had an absolute blast at Taupō Motorsport Park as part of our company conference. The team there made everything easy, from getting us set up to keeping the energy high throughout the sessions.” On-track adrenaline options are available at TIMP, either for those who want to visit purely for a race on the track or U-Drive experiences added to a conference or corporate event. The park’s 400-metre outdoor Go Kart track provides a burst of friendly competition, while hands on experiences behind the wheel of a Subaru WRX or MX5 are available onsite. For those keen to build on their driving skills, the hands-on driver training programmes offered at TIMP also provide valuable techniques designed to keep drivers and their loved ones safer on New Zealand roads. Rachel said the hands on, life saving tool was something TIMP prides itself on, and as a result it has donated $750,000 to the driver training course Street Smart, to bring the programme back to life for young New Zealand drivers. “We are deeply committed to road safety in NZ,” she said.Ultimately, TIMP ticks all the boxes as a world-class motorsport and events destination, a place where community, safety, and connection come first, making its Venue of the Year nomination a worthwhile one. Emergency calls – 24-hour Breakdown Service 021 741 923 Contact Us 07 378 2673 Monday - Friday 7:30am – 5:30pm | Saturday 8:00am – 12:30pm | Sunday Closed Quality Vehicle & Truck Servicing We offer quality parts, outstanding service and a swift turnaround. Parts & Services Limited are committed to getting the right parts, with quality servicing, enabling you to keep your car, van, ute, truck, trailer, caravan or campervan on the road. We save you time and money. We have the best range of parts, tools and accessories in Taupo. Service Team | Dealerships | Car / Van Servicing | Campervans & Caravans | COF’s | WOF’s Truck Servicing | Trailer Servicing | Auto Electrical | Small Welding Jobs
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