Karakia undertaken at Thunder Ridge

Mana Whenua led karakia at the site making safe the workers and all those who will be involved in the biggest motorsport project in the Bay since Bay Park Speedway was opened 25 years ago in 2001. Mana Whenua were involved in the lead up to karakia and will be involved as the project continues. Also attending – and speaking - to show her support was Western Bay of Plenty District Council Deputy Mayor, Margaret Murray-Benge.

Once karakia was completed, clearing work got underway in what was a significant moment for the five Trustee’s behind the circuit – Tony Roberts, Roger Williams, Gary Stirling, Sean McCaughan and Mike Coory, as well as those behind the whole TECT Park vision - Sam Dunlop, Stuart Crosby and Glenn Snelgrove.

The bulldozers were equipped with GPS tracking to ensure exact tracking of the circuit design and the first job was to start moving the slash that currently occupies the area where the circuit will be located.

Interest is soaring in the facility - which is tentatively scheduled to welcome its first visitors in 2027. Despite challenging economic conditions, garages at the new circuit have been selling well and there are now only approximately ten left to sell.

“The infrastructure and buildings from Pukekohe Park will soon be moved to the circuit as it begins to take shape,” said Roberts. “Once the shape of the track has been correctly sculpted into the land we will have a much clearer view of what the end result should look like.”

“It’s certainly the case that it is going to be a spectacular facility visually and will echo the atmosphere of some of the great road courses of the world - like Lime Rock and Laguna Seca with their elevation changes and forest settings.

“Today though, digging the first sod, hearing the bulldozer fire up and get started was just an excellent moment for all of us and the best possible practical start to this major project.”