Downtime Entertainment presents.. ClubFest! New Zealand’s annual Car Club MEGA MEET! 26-27 October 2024 (Labour weekend), a true celebration of the car club culture in New Zealand.
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A SOLD OUT event since 2020, ClubFest is a series of track sessions and activities aimed at giving car clubs the opportunity to drive around Hampton Downs in a safe and controlled environment. Clubs of all makes and models are welcome. Your track entry gives you access to all sessions over the weekend.
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While ClubFest is about having fun and celebrating the car club scene in New Zealand, there is also a competitive element with car clubs and individuals competing for titles, prizes and ultimate bragging rights. To enter your car, you must be part of a Car Club.
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SPECTATORS
Friday
Gates open 11:30 (GATE 2)
Tickets at Gate $20 (no pass outs)
Kids 10 and under FREE
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Saturday/Sunday
Gates open 9am – 6pm (GATE 3)
Tickets at Gate $30 (no pass outs – unless you have a weekend pass)
WEEKEND SPECATOR PASSES (SAT/SUN) $50
Kids 10 and under FREE
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SPECTATOR TICKETS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GATE. NO PRE-SALES
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FRIDAY ACCESS
Gates open 12pm – 5pm (GATE 2)
Drivers that have purchased this option can arrive on Friday to go through vehicle safety check, drivers briefing and in 2025 will now have access to a Roll Racing practice session, Wet Skid pan and a few hours of track cruising. Perfect if you want to get everything sorted on Friday to avoid the Saturday morning rush.
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PASSENGERS:
Want to ride as a passenger at ClubFest? passenger wristbands are $10 for the weekend (this is separate to your spectator entry). You can also ‘HITCH A RIDE’ with any of the club cars on the day in the cruising sessions.
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LOCK IN THE DATES!! Club leaders get your clubs and supporters ready, it’s going to be EPIK!! Strictly no alcohol. No pets. Event will go on rain or shine!
DRIVER – FAQ
CAN I CHANGE MY VEHICLE?
Yes, you can do this at the gate on the day!
CAN I TRANSFER MY ENTRY TO SOMEONE ELSE?
There are absolutely no transfers. Please take this into consideration when registering for ClubFest.
DOES MY CAR NEED A WOF/REGISTRATION?
You don’t need a wof/rego however your car must pass a brief safety check.
DO I NEED A LICENSE?
Yes, a minimum of a restricted license is required and must be presented at Drivers Briefing before receiving your drivers wristband.
Alternatively, we also accept MSNZ (or similar) competition licences instead of a civil licence.
CAN I LEAVE HAMPTON DOWNS AND COME BACK?
Generally we have a ‘No passouts rule’, however your drivers wristband will allow you to leave/return for whatever reason (fuel/food).
CAN MY MATE BE A SECOND DRIVER?
If you have a mate who’s willing to let you drive their car, fill out a Second Driver form at Drivers Briefing. How it works:
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1. Your mate’s vehicle needs to be already entered
2. Go through the 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.
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NOTE: Second drivers band is valid for both days 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.
CAN MY PASSENGERS GO ON TRACK TOO?
They will need to purchase a passenger wristband. Passenger wristbands are valid for the weekend (this is separate to the spectator entry). Passenger bands can be purchased inside the pavilion.
SPECTATOR – FAQ
DO I NEED TO BE IN A CAR CLUB TO BE A SPECTATOR AT CLUBFEST?
No, ClubFest is open to everyone to come along and enjoy the weekend however, if you want to enter your car on the track you must be part of a car club that has registered with us. Track entries sell out quickly and there are no entries on the day!
CAN I PARK INSIDE THE VENUE?
ClubFest is a dedicated track event for car clubs only, so only pre-registered track entrants are allowed to have their vehicles infield. There are no entries on the day!
PARKING INFO
Parking is FREE! Spectators can enter via GATE 1 on Friday, or GATE 3 on Saturday/Sunday.
IS THERE A HARD PARK?
Yes, there is a Hard Park Saturday/Sunday. It is FREE to enter, no need to pre-register, just enter through GATE 3 and our team will direct you. The Hard Park is located just outside the main spectator entrance. ClubFest is a dedicated track event, so only track entrants are allowed to have their vehicles infield.
PASSENGER BANDS
Want to ride as a passenger at ClubFest? passenger wristbands are valid for the weekend (this is separate to your spectator entry). You can also ‘HITCH A RIDE’ with any of the club cars on the day in the cruising sessions. Passenger bands can be purchased inside the pavilion.
IS EFTPOS AVAILABLE?
Eftpos is available at the gate/passenger bands/drivers briefing. We do recommend bringing cash if possible as not all vendors will have eftpos.
CAN I SET UP A GAZEBO/SHADE?
Most definitely. You’re more than welcome to set up your own shade and bring your own seating however please make sure your shade is securely tied down.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Track Cruising
Track Cruising sessions are by far the most popular sessions at ClubFest. With the added option to add track time on the Friday (Limited to 150 entries only) there’s even more time across the weekend to get your track fix.
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.
Burnouts
Send it on the Club Circuit Burnout Pad. There will be more than enough sessions throughout the weekend to turn your tyres into smiles. Your entry to ClubFest allows you to take part in all activities!
Drifting
Drifting at ClubFest is open to all vehicles entered, although only purpose built drift cars will be able to tandem battle. If you’re new to drifting, we’d recommend practicing on the wet skid pan before heading out to the Drift Track.
Wet Skid Pan
Your ClubFest track entry also gives you access to 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).
Friday Track Access
One of the new features for ClubFest this year is we will be opening Friday afternoon as an optional extra for ClubFest entrants. This will allow these entrants to go through vehicle safety check, drivers briefing and as an added bonus, the Wet Skid Pan will be open and the track will also be open for some Roll Racing practice and some track cruising. Perfect if you want to get everything sorted on Friday to avoid the Saturday morning rush.
Lucky Dip
the Lucky Dip returns! There will be several lucky dip draws throughout the weekend where a club name will be drawn winning cash money for their club! every club can potentially WIN cash just by showing up! We can’t wait to roll out more exciting features, stay tuned!
Overall Top Club
The overall ‘Top Club’ is awarded to the top judged club across the weekend. Not only do the recipients receive an epic cash prize and a cool trophy to keep, they also get the Top Club trophy to hold onto till the next ClubFest where the trophy will be up for grabs again! Also, like previous years, the top 3 clubs will receive cash prizes for their clubs.
King + Queen of Clubs
The ‘King of Clubs’ & ‘Queen of Clubs’ awards are awarded to the top judged male/female across the weekend. Since 2022, not only do the recipients receive a cash prize, a cool trophy to keep, they also get one of these cool trophies to hold onto till the next ClubFest where the trophy will be up for grabs again! Previous winners:
Second Driver
If you have a mate who’s willing to let you drive their car, fill out a Second Driver form at Drivers Briefing. How it works:
1. Your mate’s vehicle needs to be already entered
2. Go through the Driver’s Briefing, pay the $100 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 both days 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. You cannot purchase a second drivers band on Friday!