Levin Motor Racing Circuit
Levin Motor Racing Circuit at a glance
- Location
- Levin, Manawatū-Whanganui
- Type
- historic circuit (defunct)
- Length
- 1.899 km (1.18 mi)
- Turns
- 6
- Surface
- asphalt
- Opened
- 1956
- Capacity
- 23,000
Track map and layout
Levin Motor Racing Circuit no longer exists as a race track. It was a tight, figure-eight-style road course of 1.899 kilometres and 6 turns in its final 1966-1975 form, built inside the grounds of the local horse racing course and reportedly modelled loosely on Brands Hatch in England, though on much flatter ground. The lap grew twice during its 20-year life, from an original 1.448-kilometre layout (1956-1959) through a widened 1.770-kilometre version (1960-1965) to the final configuration, which added two corners and bypassed part of the earlier Clearways section. Named features included Hokio Bend, Clearways and Beach Bend. The circuit was demolished shortly after its last meeting in December 1975, and aerial photographs today show only faint earthworks where the run to and from the hairpin once lay - nothing of the racing surface itself survives.
Named corners and sections
- Hokio Bend. A fast bend where New Zealand driver Duncan MacKenzie was fatally injured in April 1961; one of the circuit's best-known corners.
- Clearways. A sweeping section partially bypassed in the circuit's final 1966 reconfiguration.
- Beach Bend. Named corner referenced in period race reports and circuit guides.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 1966-1975 layout | 1.90 km | Final and longest-used configuration; added two corners and bypassed part of Clearways |
| 1960-1965 layout | 1.77 km | Widened by roughly 2 metres and extended with a sweeper corner; pit lane relocated |
| 1956-1959 layout | 1.45 km | Original circuit as opened in January 1956 |
Events and race weekends
No motorsport events have been held at Levin since the circuit closed at the end of 1975. In its day it held an annual round of the Tasman Series, the premier trans-Tasman single-seater competition of the 1960s and early 1970s, drawing international Formula One and Formula Two drivers to New Zealand each January, as well as national touring car and saloon car meetings.
Getting there and parking
Levin is a small town on New Zealand's Kāpiti-Horowhenua coast, roughly midway between Wellington and Palmerston North on State Highway 1, close to Lake Horowhenua. There is no longer a race circuit to visit, so anyone travelling through will find only the site of the former horse racing course and, on close inspection of aerial imagery, faint earthworks marking where part of the old motor racing layout once ran. Palmerston North Airport, about 45 minutes' drive north, is the nearest airport with regular flights; Wellington, with its international airport, is about 92 kilometres and a roughly 66-minute drive south.
- Palmerston North Airport (PMR) · about 45 min drive
There is nothing purpose-built to see on site today; this is a stop for motorsport history enthusiasts rather than a working venue, and the old circuit's footprint is only really identifiable from aerial photographs rather than on the ground.
Hotels and camping near Levin Motor Racing Circuit
Since there is no active venue to visit, there is no reason to base an overnight stay specifically around Levin for motorsport purposes. Travellers passing through on State Highway 1 have a small selection of motels in Levin itself, while Palmerston North (about 45 minutes north) and Wellington (about an hour south) offer far more choice for anyone combining a visit to the site with wider North Island travel.
Where to look
Levin township for a passing stop; Palmerston North or Wellington for a wider range of accommodation if combining with other travel.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
There is no circuit left to drive or ride. No track days, driving experiences or club motorsport events have been possible at Levin since the site was demolished shortly after its final meeting in December 1975, and no operator runs any activity there today - the location is of historical interest only, not a working venue for either casual or competitive driving.
Lap records
| Category | Time | Driver | Car | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formula 5000 | 0:43.400 | Graham McRae | McRae GM2 | 1974 |
| Formula One (Tasman Series, 1.5-litre) | 0:45.700 | Jochen Rindt | Lotus 49T | 1969 |
| Formula Two | 0:49.900 | Jim Clark | Lotus 32B | 1965 |
Spectator guide
There is no spectator facility or event to attend today. At its peak the circuit drew remarkable crowds for a town of only around 8,000 people - the opening meeting in January 1956 attracted about 15,000 spectators, and the 1966 Tasman Series round is reported to have drawn a record 23,000, figures that made Levin one of the best-attended motorsport events in the country during the Tasman Series era.
Weather
- Jan: Horowhenua mid-summer, when the Tasman Series round was historically held: typical highs around 22-24°C
History of Levin Motor Racing Circuit
New Zealand's first permanent circuit
Levin Motor Racing Circuit opened on 14 January 1956, built inside the grounds of the local horse racing course on New Zealand's Kāpiti-Horowhenua coast. It was the country's first purpose-built permanent motor racing venue, replacing the temporary street and airfield circuits that had hosted New Zealand racing until then, and its opening meeting drew around 15,000 spectators to a town of only 8,000 people - an early sign of how significant the venue would become.
Growth and the Tasman years
The original 1.448-kilometre, six-turn layout was widened and extended twice over the next decade, reaching 1.77 kilometres by 1960 and its final 1.899-kilometre form in 1966, with the added corners bypassing part of the earlier Clearways section. From 1964 Levin held an annual round of the Tasman Series, the trans-Tasman single-seater championship that brought international Formula One and Formula Two stars to Australia and New Zealand each summer. World champions and future champions including Jim Clark, Jochen Rindt and Denny Hulme raced and won at Levin, alongside New Zealanders Chris Amon, Graeme Lawrence and Graham McRae, and the 1966 meeting reportedly drew a record crowd of around 23,000. A fatal accident at Hokio Bend in April 1961, which killed driver Duncan MacKenzie, remains one of the circuit's more sobering chapters.
Closure and legacy
The circuit operated on a 20-year lease from the adjoining horse racing club, and by 1975 that lease was due to expire with the track's facilities in need of expensive repairs the car club could not fund. With the equine racing authorities wanting to expand their own operation on the same land, the lease was not renewed, and the final motor racing meeting was held in December 1975. The circuit was demolished shortly afterwards. Today nothing remains of the racing surface itself; aerial photographs show only faint earthworks marking where the run to and from the old hairpin once lay, and even the horse racing venue that replaced it has since been downgraded to training-only use, with its own racedays relocated to Otaki Racecourse from 1990.
Frequently asked questions
Does Levin Motor Racing Circuit still exist?+
No. The circuit closed at the end of 1975 when its 20-year lease expired and was demolished shortly afterwards. Aerial photographs today show only faint earthworks where part of the layout once ran; nothing of the racing surface remains.
Can you visit the site of Levin Motor Racing Circuit?+
There is nothing purpose-built to see. The site, on the grounds of the former Levin horse racing course, has no markers or public facilities related to its motor racing history, and the old track outline is really only identifiable from aerial imagery.
Why did Levin Motor Racing Circuit close?+
Its 20-year lease from the adjoining horse racing club was due to expire at the end of 1975, the circuit's facilities needed repairs the car club could not afford, and the horse racing authorities wanted to expand their own operation on the same land, so the lease was not renewed.
What was the lap record at Levin Motor Racing Circuit?+
The fastest recorded lap was 0:43.400 by Graham McRae in a McRae GM2 Formula 5000 car in 1974. Jochen Rindt set 0:45.700 in a Lotus 49T during the 1969 Tasman Series.
What major races were held at Levin?+
Levin held an annual round of the Tasman Series, the trans-Tasman single-seater championship, from 1964 to 1975, attracting Formula One and Formula Two drivers including Jim Clark, Jochen Rindt and Denny Hulme alongside New Zealand stars such as Chris Amon and Graham McRae.
How long was the Levin circuit?+
In its final form, used from 1966 to 1975, the circuit was 1.899 km (1.18 mi) with 6 turns. It had grown from an original 1.448 km layout in 1956.
Other tracks nearby
- Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon · 50 km · road course
- Cemetery Circuit, Whanganui · 79 km · street circuit
- Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park · 231 km · road course
- Taupō International Motorsport Park · 231 km · road course
- Hampton Downs Motorsport Park · 364 km · road course
- Pukekohe Park Raceway · 380 km · dormant
Facts checked against 4 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-10.