| 5 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2022 Grand Business South Awards: Highlands Motorsport Park Ange Davidson Highlands – experience the exceptional Highlands Motorsport Park is synonymous with having a great experience in a unique environment that caters for all ages. It’s full speed ahead for Highlands, an internationally renowned tourism destination near Cromwell in Central Otago that has held the #1 spot on Trip Advisor as the region’s top destination since it opened nearly 10 years ago. While the 4.1 kilometre race circuit is host to marquee race events such as the NZ Endurance Championships and the Highlands six hour endurance race next November, the motorsport park is synonymous with having a great experience in a unique environment that caters for all ages. It’s a world class facility open 7 days a week with experiences to match. In the driving seat of the park’s rapid rise to ‘must do’ status is Chief Executive Officer, Josie Spillane whose outstanding leadership was recognised at the 2022 Grand Business South Awards, Excellence in Leadership category. Josie says she was surprised to be nominated, proud to be a finalist and shocked to win the award. “I was completely blown away to win. It’s remarkable what you can achieve when you have great people backing you in your corner. “I’ve been very fortunate to have a career where I’ve been privileged to be part of great teams and as time goes on, to be the team lead. I’ve been well supported by previous and current bosses who have been great mentors,” she says. “While it’s recognition for me, it’s a testament to our team and our owner, Tony Quinn who started something very special with Highlands.” Being a motorsport enthusiast is not a pre-requisite for enjoying Highlands which is why it appeals to a wide audience. Highlands has something for everyone - it may be getting behind the wheel of a V8 muscle car or strapping into the passenger seat of a Supercar Fast Dash to reach speeds of up to 225 km/ hr that draws you in, or it may be a family or corporate Go-Kart challenge around the 650 metre outdoor track. “We’re fortunate that there’s something for everybody at the park and we offer multiple ways to experience the international race circuit at speed. For many people though, it’s enjoying a glass of wine or a coffee at the café with friends,” says Josie. If speed is not your thing, there are penalty of no drive experiences. Take the time to wander and enjoy the clever car sculptures and great photo opportunities at the sculpture Park. Highlands is home to the National Motorsport Museum which includes the Young Gun Virtual Reality Room, kids’ playground and balance bikes, mini golf and more. The parks legendary Loo with a View!, has people from all parts of the world “experiencing a little beauty, while they do their duty”. Each of the toilets has one-way glass which gives guests a stunning view of the race-track and has a different theme and is instantly Instagramable. Locals Friday is an opportunity for people new to Cromwell to meet the ‘locals’, enjoy the unique environment and have a drink on the café deck overlooking the track, with Loch Ness Lake in the centre, and take in the amazing Central Otago high country views. Another fun event is the Track Laps Breakfast every third Sunday of the month where customers can follow behind the Highlands Taxi for a couple of controlled laps of the international race circuit in their own car before heading to the café for a magnificent breakfast. “It’s an exhilarating experience at Highlands, and there are some high speed experiences that will have you on the edge of your seat, but it’s also a great place to just come and spend a couple of hours, enjoying the other more lower adrenalin inducing activities! The park is all about bringing people joy and curating lasting memories,” laughs Josie. Josie is quite clear that she doesn’t race cars, nor is she a motorsport expert. “The last thing the motorsport community needed was another motorsport expert, but I do understand the business of motorsport and safety,” she says. “I surround myself with people who have strengths where I don’t and I’m not afraid to ask when I don’t understand something. “The success of Highlands and my success at the business awards are the sum of all of us working together and creating this amazing force of momentum”. Congratulations Josie from Highlands On winning Excellence in Leadership at the Grand South Business Awards. Exceptional work. www.aoteagroup.nz Proudly supporting HighlandsMotorsport Park Call us nowon 03 445 1374 Electrical • Communications • Industrial • Commercial • Domestic
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