Wigram

RNZAF Wigram was an operational air base in the southwestern suburbs of Christchurch that was transformed for one weekend a year from 1949-94 into a race circuit. The exception was 1955 when the runway that doubled as the main straight was being resurfaced. The area was named after the former mayor of Christchurch Sir Henry Wigram. The headline Lady Wigram Trophy attracted an international field from 1954, and was a round of the Tasman Series during its glory years with Jim Clark (three times), Bruce McLaren, Jackie Stewart and Jochen Rindt among its winners. The layout was fast and open although it was susceptible to crosswinds. The last race meeting for classic cars was held in 2000 and the airfield closed in 2008 to accommodate the Wigram Skies property development and as base for the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.