Wigram Airfield Circuit
Encyclopedia
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 3 km (2.1 mile) with a 1.3 km (0.8mile) main straight. The first summer meetings held at Wigram Aerodrome
in 1949 considered as the oldest motor race in New Zealand. The track hosted the 1964-1969 Tasman Series
. For safety reason, the last race at Wigram was in 2000 for classic racers.
Wigram also held the 1974 New Zealand Grand Prix
which was won by Australian race driver John McCormack.
The Lady Wigram Trophy
which has been organized by the Canterbury Car Club had used to be raced at Wigram Aerodrome
since 1949. The race for the trophy has moved to Powerbuilt Raceway at Ruapuna Park
recently.
Ngai Tahu Property, the owners of the aerodrome, is acquiring the site as part of a treaty settlement claim. The aerodrome was closed to air traffic in September 2008 and will become a housing development.
Wigram Aerodrome
Wigram Aerodrome is a former Royal New Zealand Air Force base located in the Christchurch suburb of Wigram. It is named after Sir Henry Wigram. Originally home to the RNZAF Central Flying School , it was decommissioned in 1995 following the CFS' relocation to RNZAF Ohakea two years earlier.Wigram...
, Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, New Zealand. The airfield is a former base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
. It is named after Sir Henry Wigram
Henry Wigram
Sir Henry Francis Wigram was a British-born New Zealand businessman, politician and aviation promoter. He is best known for his role in developing a public transport system in Christchurch and as a key player in the establishment of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.-Early life and business:The son...
. The temporary circuit was 3 km (2.1 mile) with a 1.3 km (0.8mile) main straight. The first summer meetings held at Wigram Aerodrome
Wigram Aerodrome
Wigram Aerodrome is a former Royal New Zealand Air Force base located in the Christchurch suburb of Wigram. It is named after Sir Henry Wigram. Originally home to the RNZAF Central Flying School , it was decommissioned in 1995 following the CFS' relocation to RNZAF Ohakea two years earlier.Wigram...
in 1949 considered as the oldest motor race in New Zealand. The track hosted the 1964-1969 Tasman Series
Tasman Series
The Tasman Series was a motor racing series held from 1964 to 1975, in Australia and New Zealand, and named after the Tasman Sea between the two countries...
. For safety reason, the last race at Wigram was in 2000 for classic racers.
Wigram also held the 1974 New Zealand Grand Prix
New Zealand Grand Prix
The New Zealand Grand Prix, sometimes known as the New Zealand International Grand Prix, is an annual motor racing event held in New Zealand first run in 1950. Currently it is the signature race of the Toyota Racing Series. It is one of only two current national Grand Prix events that are not part...
which was won by Australian race driver John McCormack.
The Lady Wigram Trophy
Lady Wigram Trophy
The Lady Wigram Trophy is a New Zealand motorsport race trophy formerly awarded to the winner of the Wigram Airfield race. It made up part of the Tasman Series and classes like Formula Holden, Formula 5000, Formula Pacific and Formula Three Lady Wigram Trophy is now contested by Formula 5000 at...
which has been organized by the Canterbury Car Club had used to be raced at Wigram Aerodrome
Wigram Aerodrome
Wigram Aerodrome is a former Royal New Zealand Air Force base located in the Christchurch suburb of Wigram. It is named after Sir Henry Wigram. Originally home to the RNZAF Central Flying School , it was decommissioned in 1995 following the CFS' relocation to RNZAF Ohakea two years earlier.Wigram...
since 1949. The race for the trophy has moved to Powerbuilt Raceway at Ruapuna Park
Powerbuilt Raceway at Ruapuna Park
Powerbuilt Raceway at Ruapuna Park is a permanent motor racing circuit owned by . It is located at 107 Hasketts Road in Templeton, northwest of Christchurch, New Zealand....
recently.
Ngai Tahu Property, the owners of the aerodrome, is acquiring the site as part of a treaty settlement claim. The aerodrome was closed to air traffic in September 2008 and will become a housing development.