Wigram Airfield Circuit Explained

Wigram Airfield Circuit
Location:Christchurch, New Zealand
Coordinates:-43.5514°N 172.5517°W
Opened:1949
Closed:2000
Owner:Ngai Tahu Property
Events:Lady Wigram Trophy
(1951–1954, 1956–1994)
Tasman Series
New Zealand Grand Prix (1974)
Length Km:3.540
Length Mi:2.200
Turns:9
Record Time:1:03.6
Record Driver: Peter Gethin
Record Car:Chevron B24
Record Year:1974
Record Class:Tasman Series

Wigram Airfield Circuit was a temporary motor racing circuit at Wigram Aerodrome, Christchurch, New Zealand. The airfield is a former base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It is named after Sir Henry Wigram. The temporary circuit was with a main straight.[1] The first summer meetings held at Wigram Aerodrome in 1949 are considered the oldest motor races in New Zealand.[2] The track hosted rounds of the annual Tasman Series from 1964 to 1975. For safety reasons, the last race at Wigram (for classic racers) was held in the year 2000.

Wigram also held the 1974 New Zealand Grand Prix which was won by Australian race driver John McCormack.

The Lady Wigram Trophy which was organized by the Canterbury Car Club had been raced at Wigram Aerodrome since 1949.[3] The race for the trophy has since moved to Powerbuilt Raceway at Ruapuna Park.[1]

Ngai Tahu Property, the owners of the aerodrome, are acquiring the site as part of a treaty settlement claim. The aerodrome was closed to air traffic in September 2008 and has become a housing development "Wigram Skies".[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.tasman-series.com/tracks/wigram/wigram.asp Wigram track at Tasman-Series.com
  2. http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/M/MotorRacing/MinorCircuits/en Motor Racing at Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
  3. http://www.canterburycarclub.co.nz/extras/Lady_Wigram.php Lady Wigram Trophy Winners – The Canterbury Car Club
  4. News: Wigram air traffic to end . 10 July 2008 . . 3 December 2011.