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A track known for extremes, Teretonga Park rewards careful setup as much as skilful riding
Tucked away at the bottom of the South Island, Teretonga Park Raceway is not only the southernmost (FIA certified) racetrack in the world, but also one of our oldest, opening in 1957. Originally designed for motorcycle racing, the key word at Teretonga is smoothness. Just as the track flows smoothly from one turn to the next, smooth riders are generally the fastest around the circuit.
Main straight: 245km/h Begin braking at the 150m board, and position yourself on the righthand side of the track (but allowing enough room for wind gust from the left). Shift down three gears ready for entry to turn one.
However simple it might look, the track is far from easy to master. Situated right next to the coast (and beyond that, a few thousand kilometers of Southern ocean), Teretonga is subject to some of the most extreme and changeable weather of any track in the country. Gale force winds can accompany driving rain during the summer, while mid-winter racing can be held up while organisers wait for surface ice to melt. Add in an abrasive track surface that is known for destroying tyres in a number of laps (unless you get your bike setup spot on), and Teretonga certainly presents a challenge to any team and rider who race there. Perhaps that’s part of the attraction?
Turn one: 185km/h The fastest corner of the season! Looks like a single apex, but you can get through it faster by taking it as a double. Get it right and it’s the best feeling in the world.