The legacy of the Supercars Championship’s Hamilton Street Circuit continues as its infrastructure relocates to a new speedway venue in Meremere, New Zealand. The Hamilton Street Circuit, which hosted thrilling races from 2008 to 2012, was a cherished stop for motorsport enthusiasts. However, it officially closed for motorsport in April 2023, marking the end of an era.
Now, all eyes are on the newly developed 21 Speedway, located just 17 kilometers from Pukekohe Park Raceway—another significant venue that hosted the full championship from 2001 to 2007 and again from 2013 to 2019. This transition signals a fresh start for the Supercars Championship and its fans.
Mitch Evans, who has been with Jaguar TCS Racing since its debut campaign in 2016, reflected on this change. “To have been with Jaguar TCS Racing right from the beginning and achieved so much success throughout the last ten years in Formula E has been incredible,” he said. With 15 wins and over 1000 championship points to his name, Evans is excited about what lies ahead.
Callum Hedge also shared his thoughts on the evolution of motorsport in New Zealand. “I grew up watching Supercars as a kid. Like I never really watched Formula 1 or IndyCar; it wasn’t my thing growing up—it was always Supercars or endurance racing,” he remarked. Hedge’s own journey has been impressive; he won the New Zealand Toyota 86 title at just 15 and recently wrapped up the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia crown shortly after turning 20.
The new venue at Meremere boasts impressive features—including a banking angle of 35 degrees at parts of the track—designed to enhance racing excitement. While officials have not confirmed specific dates for upcoming events at this new location, they anticipate significant interest from both local and international fans.
Ian James, team principal at Jaguar TCS Racing, emphasized the importance of their partnership with Mitch Evans: “The partnership between Jaguar TCS Racing and Mitch has been synonymous with the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.” This collaboration has not only brought success but also a strong following among fans eager for more thrilling races.
As motorsport evolves in New Zealand with these changes, observers are hopeful about what this means for future championships. With Callum Hedge placing fourth in his rookie season of Indy NXT and continuing to rise through the ranks, there’s plenty of potential to keep fans engaged.
With the move to Meremere, the Supercars Championship is poised for a promising future—one that combines heritage with innovation. The community looks forward to embracing this exciting chapter as they gather once again to celebrate their love for motorsport.
