Motorsport fans heading to Taupō for the Supercars Championship later this month should plan ahead and be prepared for heavy traffic on the roads as people and vehicles converge on the central North Island.
For the first time a round of the Supercars Championship will be held at Taupō International Motorsport Park from 19 to 21 April and with an expected crowd of up to 25,000 people each day.
With accommodation in the town booked out its going to be a busy weekend.
“We’re expecting to see heavy traffic volumes in and around Taupō over the few days of the Supercars Championship,” says Andy Oakley, System Manager for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi in the Waikato.
“Anyone travelling on State Highways 1 and 5 through the central North Island should allow plenty of time and expect delays as they get near to Taupō. It’s always useful to check our journey planner for the latest traffic conditions.”
Journey Planner(external link)
“All non-essential maintenance activity will be paused on SH1 and SH5 in the central North Island over this period, however there may be some active work sites with temporary speed limits in place. Please take care and stick to the posted speed,” Mr Oakley says.
When spectators make it to Taupō, parking for the Supercars Championship is available from the SH1 Centennial Avenue Interchange only, no access is available from Broadlands Road. Traffic Management will be in place to help guide spectator vehicles and manage traffic flows.
A free shuttle service to the event is available from central Taupō.
Supercars event access information(external link)
Anyone staying in Taupō, especially those travelling from the north on SH1 and SH5, should use the SH1 East Taupō interchanges for easier access to town rather than Wairakei Drive.
