2026 EPIK 4 & Rotary Nationals

SPECTATOR INFO

NEW FORMAT FOR 2026

THE NATS is back for 2026 with 2 MASSIVE DAYS of non-stop track action 18-19 July 2026 (NEW DATE), Hampton Downs Motorsport Park (Open to ALL makes and models). Our scene has evolved. Entrants are building cars to be driven and at track events, spectators are also able to engage in the experience through the HITCH-A-RIDE passenger rides. Since 2018, ‘The Nats’ Ultimate Track has grown over the years so we’re doubling the action for 2026!
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The Show & Shine portion of ‘The Nats’ will combine with REVCON on Saturday, 9 May 2026 at Claudelands Arena & Events Centre, Hamilton.
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The Nats Drags have been cancelled 3 years in a row and despite our efforts, it’s a sign we simply cannot ignore and will not be featured in 2026.
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Thanks to:
Downtime Entertainment
EPIK Eyewear
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Sponsorship + exhibitor enquiries: alan@downtimenz.com

DRIVER INFO

Your track entry covers all sessions on the day. It is up to you which sessions you want to participate in. Sessions depend on numbers – these may be extended, cut short or cancelled on the day. Drift Demo’s are for experienced drivers with dedicated drift cars only. Price includes Hampton Downs compulsory Driver Safety Levy of $35.00 and NEW compulsory driver ‘Day License’ fee $35.00.

SCHEDULE (NEW DATES) – Last updated (18/07/2026)

LAYOUT

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

TRACK CRUISING
Nothing beats cruising around the track with your friends and family! No wof or reg needed. Only a seatbelt is required, passengers just need to purchase a passenger wristband to jump in.

ROLL RACING
Roll Racing is fun and is growing to be one of the most popular track activities. The concept is simple, you race another vehicle from a rolling start at around 40kph (50kph max), the vehicle on the right sets the pace and if you’re on the left, keep up and once the light goes green, it’s a race until the checkered flag. NEW: 1 passenger is now allowed in the roll racing practice sessions.

WET SKID PAN
Your entry also gives you access to the Wet Skid Pan sessions throughout the weekend. Two minute skid then off and re-join the queue when ready. 1 passenger is allowed. Enclosed shoes, long sleeve shirt/pants, helmets are the safety requirements for both driver + passenger, these can be hired from Hampton Downs (subject to availability).

DRIFT DEMOS
Drift Demos are reserved for experienced drivers with dedicated drift cars only. There will be 3 Drift Demo sessions each day making the most of the NEW 2 day format.

GRIP SESSIONS
Grip sessions are for those that want to put their cars through it’s paces (split into caged/non-caged sessions). Check the safety requirements below.

NOTE: These sessions require it’s own drivers briefing by our track manager Matt Gibson, there will be 2 of these briefings, 8:30am – 08:45am on both Saturday & Sunday.

POWER SKIDS
Power skids are not for the faint-hearted. Want to do a power skid? simply head out with the roll racers on each of the roll racing sessions and let our team know when you get out there and they’ll send you out on your own!

EXTREME SESSIONS
Extreme Sessions!! For those that can’t resist the urge during the cruising sessions, this is for you! these are extreme cruise sessions where you can drift the corners, do rolling power skids and roll race anyone on the straights. Sessions require safety gear and 1 front seat passenger is allowed. This is what the NZ Car Scene has been waiting for… THE NATS has just turned up the heat!

NOTE: This sessions require it’s own drivers briefing by our track manager Matt Gibson, there will be 2 of these briefings, 8:30am – 08:45am on both Saturday & Sunday.

LATE ENTRY
Missed out on an online entry, simply ask our team for a late entry on the day (before 11am both days)

HITCH-A-RIDE
Want to jump in a car as a passenger during the Track Cruising sessions but don’t know any drivers? simply purchase a passenger wristband and ‘hitch a ride’ from the next available car to pull up. Look for the ‘Hitchhiker Zone’ on the day! Passenger bands are valid for the entire weekend (Does not include your gate entry fee).

Hitchhiker’s… line up, stick your thumb out and hitch a ride. Please remember to be kind to the drivers that pick you up and please don’t skip the queue. NOTE: If you have a drivers band, you can also hitch a ride too.

Drivers… if you have some spare seats, head to the Hitchhiker Zone and pick up a hitchhiker. Please only use the Hitchhiker Zone if you are picking up Hitchhikers!

PASSENGER RIDES
Want to ride as a passenger? passenger wristbands are available for $10, look for the ‘Passenger Bands’ in Pit Garage 17 (Please bring cash if possible to speed things up as EFTPOS reception isn’t great so please bring exact amount as no change is given). Passenger wristbands are valid all weekend, so please don’t remove your passenger wristband. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE YOUR GATE ENTRY FEE.
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If you are a driver, you do not need to purchase a passenger wristband as long as you have your driver’s wristband.

SECOND DRIVER
If you have a mate who’s willing to let you drive their car, fill out a Second Driver form once you’ve completed Drivers Briefing (Saturday Only). How it works:
1. Your mate’s vehicle needs to be already entered
2. Go through Driver’s Briefing, pay the fee to drive on the track. (Fee does NOT include the gate entry)
3. Fill out the drivers form at Drivers Briefing on the day with your drivers license.

NOTE: Second drivers band is valid for Saturday/Sunday e.g. If you purchase a second drivers band on the Saturday you are considered a driver and don’t need to pay a spectator entry again on Sunday.

HARD PARK
There is a FREE Hard Park infield (from 9am only) on both Saturday and Sunday (Does not include spectator fee). Show off your pride and joy while being close to the action near the pits. There will be multiple trophies up for grabs each day as well. No pre-registration required.

Judging takes place throughout each day. All winners are finalised by 3pm each day, with awards given directly to the drivers between 3–4pm each day. Our team will be looking for cars that ‘stand out’. If you’re not present to claim your award, it will roll over to the next best car.

AWARDS
While the 2026 EPIK 4 & Rotary Nationals is about having fun, we have a number of trophies up for grabs for Track Entrants… ROLL RACE WINNER + RUNNER UP, as well as a few STANDOUT awards, these will be awarded to cars/drivers that ‘stand out’. These awards are not just about the car, e.g. someone that picks up lots of hitchhikers at the HITCH-A-RIDE will ‘stand out’ or someone that performs exceptionally well in the drift demos or on the Wet Skid Pan will also ‘stand out’.

Car Clubs… we have a few awards for you guys as well, these will be judged across the entire weekend and can also apply to Car Clubs in the Hard Park… BEST NEW CLUB, BEST CLUB ATTITUDE, TOP CLUB OVERALL + RUNNER UP, we look forward to seeing what the clubs bring to The Nats this year.

We also have a daily allocation of ‘STANDOUT’ awards for the Hard Park as well. Judging takes place throughout each day. All winners are finalised by 3pm each day, with awards given directly to the drivers between 3–4pm each day. Our team will be looking for cars that ‘stand out’.

SINGLE DAY ENTRIES
We’ve introduced ‘Single Day’ track entries giving entrants more flexibility to still be part of an EPIK weekend at the track. While a full weekend track entry remains the best value for money, entrants now have more options to suit their budget. Open to ALL makes and models. Get your entry online and SAVE!