Ruapuna Park Club
Ruapuna Park Club Notes:
Ruapuna Park (now known as Euromarque Motorsport Park) is a permanent motor racing circuit owned and operated by the Canterbury Car Club Inc on land leased from Christchurch City Council, located 13 kilometres west of Christchurch, New Zealand. The Canterbury Car Club was formed in 1947, and after realizing a permanent race track was required, volunteers worked to open Ruapuna Park in November 1963. The name was derived from a Maori word, and construction followed the establishment of a dirt oval next door in 1962.
The biggest change came in 1993 when the circuit was dramatically extended to 3.3km with major renovations including a control tower, 30 covered garages, a fuel bay, a new viewing lounge with balcony, and an electronic timing suite. The track hosted the New Zealand Grand Prix in 1998 and 1999, both won by New Zealand-born Simon Wills. The circuit has undergone several naming rights changes: Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway (2004), Mike Pero Motorsport Park (2013), and Euromarque Motorsport Park (2023). The track found international fame in 2015 when it was digitized for the popular Project CARS racing game.
Club Notes:
The Club configuration at Ruapuna Park in New Zealand represents a compact layout at this comprehensive motorsport facility near Christchurch on South Island. The Club designation indicates a shortened circuit appropriate for club racing, driver training, and events requiring less demanding technical characteristics compared to Ruapuna's longer configurations. This variant serves the facility's role in New Zealand motorsport where multiple layout options accommodate diverse event requirements serving South Island's passionate grassroots racing community.
Operating the Club configuration showcases Ruapuna Park's versatile infrastructure where compact layouts serve entry-level motorsport participation and club competition. Canterbury region's temperate climate creates year-round potential though winter months June-August see reduced activity. The Club configuration provides accessible experience serving Christchurch-area motorsport community at this facility operating since the 1960s, demonstrating New Zealand's commitment to grassroots racing through layout diversity.
