
Downtime Entertainment presents.. ClubFest! New Zealand’s annual Car Club MEGA MEET! 21-22 October 2023 (Labour weekend) at Hampton Downs NOW 2 DAYS!! 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 cruise, drive and skid 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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FEATURING:
– Cruising aka DYM (Drive your mates)
– Car Club parade
– Grip
– Roll Racing
– Wet Skidpan
– Drifting (Club Circuit)
– Ladies Only DYM (Drive your mates)
– Burnouts (Club Circuit)
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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. If your club has not entered ClubFest before, you must get your club leader to get in touch with us.
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SPECTATORS
Gates open 9am – 6pm (GATE 3) Hampton Downs Motorsport Park
Tickets at Gate $30 (no pass outs)
Weekend Passes $50
Kids 10 and under FREE
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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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Strictly no alcohol. No pets. Event will go on rain or shine!
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Please read and understand Terms and Conditions + Venue Indemnity
What’s Happening at ClubFest?















TRACK CRUISING
Track Cruising/DYM (Drive Your Mates) sessions are the most popular sessions at ClubFest, lots of cruising time on the track, seat belts are the only safety requirement. Passengers must purchase a passenger wristband from the pavilion.
ROLL RACING
Roll Racing is fun and is very popular amongst the clubs. 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.
During the practice session, everyone returns back around to race again, however during eliminations later in the afternoon, only the winner will return until we crown the overall champion.
While it’s all for fun, there will be CASH PRIZES up for grabs, $300 for the winner and $150 for runner up. Winner & Runner Up will also receive points that will go towards the overall total for their club for the day.
CAR CLUB PARADE
The Car Club Parade will take place yet again on the 1km straight of the world famous Hampton Downs international circuit and this year will be even more impressive than 2020. Don’t sit in the pits this year! get amongst it.
NOTE : Passenger bands are not required for the parade.
BURNOUTS
Send it on the Club Circuit Burnout Pad. There will be several sessions throughout the day.
GRIP SESSIONS
Grip sessions are for those that want to put their cars through it’s paces. There will be a few Grip sessions throughout the day split into caged/non-caged sessions.
WET SKID PAN
Get sideways in on the wet skid pan. Your track entry also gives you access to multiple wet skid pan sessions throughout the day. Two minute skid then off and re-join the queue when ready. Passengers are allowed. Helmets and foam donuts are the minimum safety requirements, these can be hired from Hampton Downs (subject to availability).
DRIFTING
Drifting is open to all vehicles. Sessions will be going throughout the day on the Club Circuit at Hampton Downs. If you are new to drifting, we recommend practicing on the wet skid pan before heading out to the drift track.
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 $80 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.
PASSENGERS
Want to ride as a passenger at ClubFest? passenger wristbands are available for $10 inside the pavilion (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 when you return on Sunday. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE YOUR GATE ENTRY FEE. If you are a driver for ClubFest, you do not need to purchase a passenger wristband as long as you have your driver’s wristband.
SAFETY GEAR HIRE
Some safety gear will be available to hire on the day downstairs in the main office. Please contact Hampton Downs for more information.
LAYBUY
We also offer Laybuy. Get your entry today, pay it in 6 weeks with Laybuy interest Free.
REMINDER
IMPORTANT… Just a reminder ClubFest has sold out every year since 2020 and there have been NO track entries on the day. Spectators, ClubFest is open to everyone so if you want to come along to see the NZ car club scene in action, everyone is welcome. Not in a club but would like to join one? ClubFest is the where you’ll be able to see a large selection of car clubs in 1 place and where you’ll be able to find one that suits your needs.
New for 2023…
HITCH-A-RIDE
Want to jump in a car as a passenger in a club car during the Track Cruising/DYM (Drive Your Mates) 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
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!
LUCKY DIP
One of the many new additions to ClubFest this year is the ‘Lucky Dip’. 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!
KING & QUEEN OF HEARTS
New awards for 2023, ‘King of Hearts’ & ‘Queen of Hearts’. Awarded to the top male and female club member who has shown outstanding heart over ClubFest weekend, to their own club, our staff and to other clubs. Stay tuned for more announcements.
2022 ClubFest Honours List
2022 Clubfest honours List:
1st Overall NZ Fijian Car Club INC.
2nd Overall Boost Like This Performance
3rd Overall Tauranga Evolution
2022 King of Clubs
Hayden Swanga Kirkwood from Rotamayhem
2022 Queen of Clubs
Rhiannon O’Neill from Rotamayhem
A shout out to ALL the car clubs that have contributed over the years to make ClubFest a true celebration of club culture. A culture only those that (are/have been) part of a car club can truly appreciate. Lets go!

Vehicle Safety Check
Every vehicle has to complete a basic Safety Check before you are allowed out on the track. This is for your safety, and the safety of those around you on the track. Once your car has passed, you’ll receive your window sticker allowing your car access the track. You must then attend drivers briefing to get your drivers wristband and then you’ll be good to go.
If you miss out on registration/safety check times, you will not be allowed onto the track. No exceptions and no refunds!
All vehicles
- Brake lights (must be in working condition)
- Indicators (not required for dedicated track cars)
- Legal tread on the tyres
- Battery clamps (must be secured and not able to move, even if it’s in a battery box).
- Fuel leaks
- Oil leaks
- Wheel nuts secured
- Seat belts (a seat belt is required for all drivers and passengers out on the track. Even the vehicles from the factory without a seat belt, it should have one installed).
- Noise limit (All tracks have noise limits and you are to obey by the track limits. If your car exceeds the limits then you will be asked to rectify this and if still persists then you won’t be allowed at the event with no refunds)
- Firewall
- No structural damage
- Door cards
Extra checks for vehicles that are not road worthy e.g. dedicated drift cars, burnout cars, race cars.
- Race suit (All race suits must be minimum of single layer fire retardant. SFI or FIA approved.)
- Approved helmet and footwear
- Roll cages
- Padding on roll cage
- Fuel system has to be fully sealed from drivers compartment
- Secured seats
- No sharp objects that can cause injury
- No major windscreen cracks
- All cars with a modified engine must have an overflow bottle and oil catch can if one isn’t already fitted
Please take the time to check over your car and gear prior to the event to make sure you get out on the track without any problems.
Safety Requirements for sessions
Cruising Sessions
- Seatbelts (No seatbelt, No track time). Even if the vehicle did not come out without seatbelt from the factory.
- Passengers welcome
- Enclosed Shoes
- No neck brace is required and no race suit is required.
- Vehicles equipped with roll cages that is in front of the driver must have padding on it.
- If your wristband has been revoked for any reasons by the marshals, you will not be allowed on the track for that day.
Roll Racing Sessions
- Seatbelts (No seatbelt, No track time)
- NO passengers allowed
- Race suit (All race suits must be minimum of single layer fire retardant. SFI or FIA approved.)
- Motorsport helmet
- Foam Neck Brace – For vehicles fitted with a standard lap and diagonal 3-point belt system. A foam roll/collar types is acceptable.
- No HANS/FHR devices needed for vehicles equipped with standard lap belt.
- For a modified vehicle with a 4 point harness or greater the requirement is fire retardant boots and fire retardant gloves.
Burnouts / Skid Pan
- Seatbelts (No seatbelt, No track time)
- Enclosed Shoes
- Race suit OR long sleeve shirt & pants
- Motorsport helmet
- Foam Neck Brace – For vehicles fitted with a standard lap and diagonal 3-point belt system a Foam roll/collar types is acceptable.
- Only ONE passenger allowed for Burnouts & Skid Pan. (Passengers must have the same safety gear as the driver).
Drifting Sessions
- Seat belts/Harnesses
- Fire retardant enclosed shoes and gloves (Race shoes & gloves advised)
- Race suit (All race suits must be minimum of single layer fire retardant. SFI or FIA approved.)
- Approved Motorsport helmet
- HANS/FHR Device – For vehicles which has a 4 point harness or great, there are various tethered devices available including Hans, NecksGen REV, Impact Accel or Simpson Hybrid.
- Neck foam for factory vehicles with lap belt.
- Passengers ONLY allowed on full caged cars. (Passengers must have the same safety gear as the driver)
- For a modified vehicle with a 4 point harness or greater the requirement is fire retardant boots and fire retardant gloves.
Grip Sessions
- Seat belts OR Harnesses
- NO passengers allowed
- Sessions are for both caged and non-caged cars and will be separated into short caged and non-caged sessions
- Fire retardant enclosed shoes and gloves (Race shoes & gloves advised)
- Race suit (All race suits must be minimum of single layer fire retardant. SFI or FIA approved.)
- Approved Motorsport helmet
- HANS/FHR Device – For vehicles which have a 4 point harness or greater, there are various tethered devices available including Hans, NecksGen REV, Impact Accel or Simpson Hybrid.
- Caged race cars only with MANZ/tech inspection log book
- For a modified vehicle with a 4 point harness or greater the requirement is fire retardant boots and fire retardant gloves.
Passengers
- Unless approved by event staff on the day, passengers are only allowed into the cruising sessions.
- If approved, passengers must be wearing the same safety gear as required by the driver (see above).
- If you want to try take passengers in the Drifting Sessions, you must have a full weld in roll cage, fixed back seats and harness as well as same safety equipment as the driver.
- Track Staff reserve the right to remove passengers if safety is an issue prior to you getting out on the track.
- No passengers allowed for Roll Racing or grip sessions.
Please take the time to check over your car and gear prior to the event to make sure you get out on the track without any problems. Some safety gear is available to hire from Hampton Downs but is first in first served.