New Zealand's Taupo Motorsport Park has been renamed in honour of one of the country's favourite sons, Bruce McLaren.

Initially a dirt track, Taupo, which has the spectacular volcanic mountain of Mount Tauhara as a backdrop, was subsequently asphalted and became a club racing track.

In 2005 plans were unveiled to develop the track into a fully-fledged racing circuit with racing legend Chris Amon acting as a consultant.

The 'new' circuit opened in 2006 and while it was initially an FIA Grade 3 track additional further investment and further changes to the track and its facilities saw it upgraded to Grade 2, the only circuit to this standard in New Zealand.

The 2.17 mile (3.5km) circuit hosted A1 GP in 2007, the first international series to visit New Zealand since the 1990s, Nico Hulkenberg winning both races.

Unfortunately, though A1 GP returned in 2008 and 2009, the subsequent financial shortfall, which left the circuit owners several million out of pocket, meant the circuit has focussed on national racing, including NZV8 Touring Cars and V8 Super Tourers, ever since.

Yesterday, as its owners unveiled plans aimed at retaining the Grade 2 status, the track was renamed Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in honour of the driver who not only founded the legendary race team but was at the forefront at a time Kiwis were dominating the sport.

Having won Grands Prix with Cooper, McLaren founded his own team in 1966, going on to win its first race (Belgium) in 1968.

1966 also saw McLaren win at Le Mans, the kiwi sharing a Ford GT40 with countryman Amon.

Along with fellow-kiwi Denny Hulme, McLaren (pictured in car with Hulme) dominated the Can-Am series, the team eventually moving (and winning) in to various other series including F5000 and the Indianapolis 500.

Sadly, McLaren was killed in a (Can-Am) testing accident at Goodwood in 1970, though the team continued under the guidance of Teddy Mayer until 1980 when it was bought by Ron Dennis's Project Four operation.

The renaming of the circuit in honour of McLaren has the blessing of his daughter Amanda, and the McLaren Technology Group.