2026 Highlands Festival of Speed
This event has finished.
The next edition hasn't been announced yet.
Why You Should Go
See a wide range of race classes and car displays at a purpose-built track with family amenities and museum access included.
Format
Three-Day Event
Crowd
Local and regional motorsport enthusiasts, families and club racers; typically a steady daytime crowd with quieter evenings.
Vibe
Laid-back, family-friendly race weekend with paddock access and close viewing rather than stadium-scale spectacle.
About This Event
Three days of club-level circuit racing and car shows at Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell, Otago. Practice runs start Friday with full race programmes on Saturday and Sunday.
On-site includes the National Motorsport Museum, Young Guns VR room, food vendors, a public bar and family activities. Gates typically open 08:00 with track action from 09:00.
1What to Expect
A compact, spectator-friendly motorsport weekend showcasing historic, modern and muscle-car categories at a purpose-built track in Central Otago.
What makes it worth the trip:
- Close viewing: spectator areas and grandstands put you near pit and track action.
- Variety of classes: HVRA, Nostalgic Classics, Mainland Muscle, Jackson Orchards Sprint Series and more across the weekend.
- Family-friendly extras: museum entry and VR included with tickets plus kids' activities and food options.
Best way to experience it:
Arrive early for morning sessions, plan to move between viewing points, and use the on-site museum and paddock walk opportunities to break up long race stints. Book motorhome parking in advance if staying on-site; weekend passes cover entry for each person.
Good to know:
- Practice day Friday is free to attend; racing is Saturday–Sunday.
- Entries and car-show registrations open in December; some series run finals across both race days.
About the Venue
Race Tracks
Highlands Motorsport Park
- 4.1 km
- 14 turns
- Opened 2013
Highlands Motorsport Park is on the edge of Cromwell in Central Otago, about 45 minutes from Queenstown.
While you're in the area
Experiences near Highlands Motorsport Park
2Frequently Asked Questions
- Great if you want close-up viewing of club and historic racing.
- Great if you enjoy a mix of race action and car-park displays.
- Great if you like a family-friendly motorsport weekend with museum access.
- Maybe skip if you prefer large international grid events and big grandstands.
3Cost Breakdown
Official day ticket NZ$40 and weekend pass NZ$70; children 16 and under free. Practice Friday is free to attend. Motorhome parking is offered for the weekend for a fee (listed as ~NZ$50 plus booking fees) and a weekend pass is required per person.
Tags
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