Highlands, the circuit at the end of the world

In the Central Otago district, on road No. 6 about 40 minutes east of the town of Queenstown, it is in Cromwell that Scottish businessman Tony Quinn (65 years old) decided to create this track 9 years ago. Originally, the small town was only known for being the meeting point between the Clutha and Kawarau rivers and for offering a magical setting. A club of automobile enthusiasts existed, but it lacked the means to build a circuit. However, he already owned the place, since a large area at the entrance to the town was unsuitable for agriculture or viticulture which is growing a lot in this corner located in the middle of the southern island of New Zeeland.

The Highlands Motorsport Park has everything needed to ensure the safety of drivers (Photo: Loïc Rocci)

« They contacted Quinn who had a holiday home in Queenstown and had competed, explains Josie Spillane, director of operations. The latter refused to participate, but he proposed another thing. If we allowed him to lead the construction and trace the path he wanted, he committed to completing the project in 12 months! Members agreed. Quinn invested almost 15 million euros to literally bring this site out of the ground. » In addition to the track, there is also a circuit karting, a museum with numerous cars and the facilities necessary to accommodate the teams (hotel, accommodation, hangars, etc.).

The museum is diverse and its “residents” change regularly (Photo: Loïc Rocci)

It is also in this area of ​​activity that Hayden Paddon has his workshop. For the plot, the self-made man called on his son. On an envelope, and using an iPad, they wrote down everything they wanted to appear. “ They took inspiration from turns they liked on other sites, says Spilane. From the start, the idea was always to create something high-end without the hassle of a designate. By calling on Cromwell's companies, he gradually modeled the track which today is 4,1 km long and which has the particularity of having two curves in the forest, a bridge, a lake... and of being located in a beautiful environment. » It is true that the Highlands, whose name comes from Quinn's youth in Aberdeen, is located in a breathtaking landscape. “ At least when you don't win you can still admire the scenery », jokes the owner of the place on the presentation brochure.

You just need to take a tour of the circuit to understand what Quinn means when talking about the setting (Photo: Loïc Rocci)

The 16 turns all have a story, like No. 6 inspired by the Nürburgring Carousel, No. 1 of the Bus Stop at Watkins Glen... One of Quinn's prides is that "his" track has acquired the reputation of being the most selective and fun to ride in New Zealand. The complex does not host much competition, however, in particular because this is only authorized 16 days a year to contain noise pollution. The activity is therefore focused on baptisms with different vehicles including a two-seater Radical SR3 inside which it is very surprising to find Paul Blomqvist.

Much more talkative than his father Stig, Paul Blomqvist is happy to explain the difficulties of the circuit to you (Photo: Loïc Rocci)

Son of Stig, the Swedish driver, 1984 world champion, is the brother of Tom, currently engaged in IMSA and Pure ETCR this year. Born in England, the youngest (27 years old) raced in the Cup Porsche Scandinavia until 2019. Living for years in New Zealand, the man who joined the team of 2020 people working on the Highlands in 50 is almost incapable of speaking Swedish… “ This is not what I do most often here, he jokes. And when I call my father, we speak English...when he wants to say 3 words to me (laugh) ! » Operating like a golf club, members of the circuit can come and tour there with the vehicle of their choice throughout the year. Still little-known, this Highlands is nevertheless worth the (long!) trip to the Queenstown region to discover this circuit with an unusual destiny.

Ford Mustang V8 or Radical SR3, there is the choice to discover this Highlands circuit (Photo: Loïc Rocci)