Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon
Location
Feilding, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand
Current Local Time
Track Info
Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon - Feilding, New Zealand
Compact permanent circuit in the Manawatū region - known for close racing, clear spectator views and a long association with New Zealand's leading championships
When was the track built?
Manfeild was created by members of the Manawatu Car Club, who wanted a permanent and safer alternative to racing on temporary roads and airfields. The original 3.03 km circuit opened in October 1973.
The name combines Manawatū, the surrounding region, with Feilding, the nearby town. Additional land and facilities were later developed around the original racing course.
Why is it named after Chris Amon?
The main circuit was renamed Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon in November 2016. Amon grew up in the Manawatū region and became one of New Zealand's most respected international racing drivers.
He competed in Formula One for teams including Ferrari and won major sports-car races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Daytona 24 Hours.
What's the circuit like?
- Short but fast: Leading cars complete laps in just over one minute, so traffic and slower competitors appear quickly.
- Cambered corners: Several bends slope towards the inside, helping the tyres grip and allowing drivers to carry more speed.
- Three useful straights: A strong corner exit allows a driver to slipstream another car and attempt an overtake under braking.
- Technical infield: The esses and hairpin reward accurate positioning, smooth steering and controlled acceleration.
How did it become famous?
Manfeild hosted the New Zealand Grand Prix for several periods between 1992 and 2020. The race brought leading local drivers together with young international competitors preparing for careers in higher single-seater categories.
The circuit also staged rounds of the Superbike World Championship during the late 1980s and early 1990s, giving it an important place in New Zealand's international motorcycle history.
What races here?
- Touring and production cars: GR86, Porsche, saloon-car and endurance categories produce close racing with familiar-looking vehicles.
- Single-seaters: Formula Ford, Formula First and historic Formula 5000 cars regularly use the main circuit.
- Motorcycles: Modern and classic bikes compete in sprint races and festival meetings.
- Drifting: Sections of the circuit can be arranged for judged runs based on angle, line and car control.
- Club motorsport: Sprints, test days and driver-training events make the venue accessible to amateur competitors.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Outright race record: 1:01.457 - Simon Wills in a Reynard 94D Formula Holden, November 2000.
- Modern junior single-seater: 1:02.653 - Brandon Maïsano in a Toyota FT-50, February 2015.
- Motorcycle record: 1:05.343 - Andrew Stroud on a production-based Superbike, February 2008.
- Demonstration laps: Faster unofficial times have been recorded by powerful single-seaters, but they were not set during races.
Official race laps, qualifying times and demonstration runs use different conditions, so they should not be compared directly.
Why go?
Manfeild was designed so spectators could follow most of the racing from one area. The compact layout makes battles easy to understand, while the short lap means there is rarely a long wait before the cars return.
Many meetings also provide access to the paddock, allowing visitors to see the vehicles, teams and repair work between sessions.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main straight: Best for race starts, pit activity, grid preparation and the chequered flag.
- Higgins Corner: Good for heavy braking, overtaking attempts and drivers entering the corner side by side.
- Hairpin: Watch competitors slow sharply before trying to accelerate without losing traction.
- Elevated spectator areas: The clearest choice for newcomers because most of the circuit can be followed from one position.
- Paddock: Best for viewing the cars and motorcycles closely when public access is included.
Manfeild is at 59 South Street in Feilding, approximately 20 km north of Palmerston North. Entrances, spectator areas, parking and paddock access vary between meetings, so check the organiser's current event information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon (New Zealand)
Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon is in Feilding in New Zealand's Manawatū region, around 15 minutes from Palmerston North. Driving is easy and parking is free, but the circuit is also practical without a car because regional buses connect Palmerston North, its airport and central Feilding.
Driving to the circuit
Driving is straightforward because Manfeild is inside Feilding rather than at an isolated rural location.
- From Palmerston North: head north towards Feilding and follow local signs for Manfeild.
- From Wellington: travel north on State Highway 1, turn onto SH57 before Levin and continue towards Palmerston North and Feilding.
- From Taupō: approach from the north via State Highway 1 and the central North Island.
- Navigation: search for “Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon”.
Save the main venue address as 59 South Street, Feilding, New Zealand.
Bus & train
Manfeild is one of New Zealand's easier permanent circuits to visit without a car because Feilding has a regular bus connection with Palmerston North.
- Travel to Palmerston North by coach, air or the Northern Explorer train.
- Take Route 302 towards Feilding.
- Get off in central Feilding around Manchester Square or another convenient town stop.
- Walk to Manfeild or use a short taxi ride if required.
The current Route 302 timetable operates between Palmerston North and Feilding seven days a week, but always check the latest schedule for your event date.
Flying in
Palmerston North Airport (PMR) is the closest airport and is approximately 20 minutes from Manfeild by road.
- Rental car: the easiest option if you want maximum flexibility during the weekend.
- Taxi: practical because the airport is relatively close to Feilding.
- Route 302: stops near the airport and continues to Feilding.
- From Auckland or Wellington: domestic flights to Palmerston North can save a long drive.
Airport construction is underway in 2026, so allow a little extra time around the Palmerston North terminal and check the current bus-stop location.
Parking
Manfeild provides free onsite parking, although the entrance you use depends on which part of the venue is hosting your event.
- Motorsport events: public parking is usually accessed from Rata Street, opposite the Gull petrol station.
- Accessibility parking: normally uses the same Rata Street entrance with designated spaces.
- Major meetings: follow temporary signs and parking marshals.
- Other Manfeild events: the South Street entrance may be used instead, so check your event information.
Do not automatically navigate to the main South Street entrance for a race meeting; motorsport spectator parking normally uses Rata Street.
Where to stay
Feilding is the easiest place to stay because the town centre is close enough to Manfeild to make race-day travel simple.
- Feilding: best for the shortest journey and easy access to local cafés, shops and restaurants.
- Palmerston North: around 15 minutes away with a much larger choice of hotels and restaurants.
- Near the airport: useful for an early flight, while still remaining within easy driving distance of the circuit.
If you are visiting without a car, staying in central Feilding is particularly convenient because Manfeild is only a short walk from town.
Understanding the circuit
Manfeild is one of New Zealand's best-known permanent racing venues and has hosted major national and international motorsport since the 1970s.
- Opened: 1973.
- Length: 3.03 km.
- Turns: 8.
- Direction: clockwise.
- Licence: FIA Grade 3.
- Name: the circuit was renamed in 2016 in honour of New Zealand Formula 1 driver Chris Amon.
The venue also hosts equestrian events, exhibitions and community events, so make sure you follow signs specifically for the motorsport circuit.
Race-day tips
- Use the correct entrance: Rata Street is normally the important one for motorsport spectators.
- Arrive early: major meetings can make the streets around Manfeild considerably busier.
- Consider staying in Feilding: the town centre is close enough that you may not need to drive each day.
- Prepare for changing weather: spectator areas are largely outdoors and Manawatū conditions can change quickly.
- Bring hearing protection: particularly for children and anyone sitting close to the track.
- Save the address: 59 South Street, Feilding, New Zealand.
For a first visit, staying in Feilding and walking or driving to the circuit is the easiest plan. Without a car, Route 302 from Palmerston North provides a practical alternative.
Parking entrances, public transport and spectator arrangements can change between events. Check the official Manfeild event information and current Horizons bus timetable before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon (Feilding, New Zealand)
Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon is one of New Zealand's best-known motorsport venues, set right beside the rural town of Feilding in the Manawatū. Cars, motorcycles and drifting use its fast 3 km circuit - while museums, native forest, markets and Palmerston North attractions make it easy to fill the rest of a race weekend.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Coach House Museum: Just minutes from the circuit, this large rural-heritage museum has vintage tractors, horse-drawn vehicles and machinery explaining how the Manawatū developed.
- Makino Aquatic Centre: Indoor and outdoor pools make this an easy family option, particularly when children need a completely different activity from motorsport.
- Feilding Farmers' Market: If you are visiting on Friday morning, head to Manchester Square for local produce, baking and artisan food beneath the town clocktower.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- Coach House Museum: One of the easiest indoor attractions locally and particularly good for anyone interested in vehicles, farming or engineering.
- Te Manawa: Head into Palmerston North for exhibitions covering art, science and the history of the Manawatū region.
- New Zealand Rugby Museum: Located alongside Te Manawa, it explains the history of rugby in New Zealand and includes interactive challenges for visitors.
Eat & drink around Manfeild
- Feilding town centre: The simplest choice for cafés, bakeries, pubs and relaxed meals without travelling far from the circuit.
- Friday market: The Farmers' Market is a good place to pick up local cheese, meat, baking and seasonal produce for a race-weekend picnic.
- Palmerston North: Head south for the widest choice of restaurants and evening dining if you want more variety after racing finishes.
Get outdoors between race days
- Awahuri Forest Kitchener Park: An easy boardwalk walk through native kahikatea, tōtara, rimu and other forest close to Feilding.
- Victoria Esplanade: Palmerston North's major city park combines gardens, bush paths and the Wildbase Recovery centre for native wildlife.
- Te Āpiti - Manawatū Gorge: The Tawa Loop passes through native forest to viewpoints over the Manawatū River and surrounding countryside.
Weather can change quickly, so comfortable shoes and a light waterproof layer are useful for both the circuit and forest walks.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Palmerston North: Combine Te Manawa, the Rugby Museum, Victoria Esplanade and the city's cafés for an easy full day.
- Te Āpiti - Manawatū Gorge: Allow several hours for the Tawa Loop and surrounding native bush rather than squeezing it between race sessions.
- Pohangina Valley: Follow the scenic country roads toward Tōtara Reserve for forest walks, river scenery and a quieter side of rural Manawatū.
Good to know during race weekends
- The circuit has major New Zealand racing history: It opened in 1973 and was renamed Circuit Chris Amon in 2016 to honour the New Zealand Formula 1 driver.
- Check the exact event: Car racing, motorcycles, drifting and open track days can have different entrances, tickets and spectator arrangements.
- Feilding is the convenient base: The circuit is close to town, making food and everyday supplies much easier than at many rural tracks.
- Expect grassy viewing areas: Comfortable shoes, an outdoor chair or picnic blanket can make longer race days more enjoyable.
- Bring hearing protection: Racing cars and motorcycles are extremely loud from close spectator areas, particularly for children.
Race schedules, spectator access, track activities, attraction opening hours and outdoor conditions can change - check current information before travelling.