Motorsport events are dynamic, fast-paced, and incredibly exciting – but they can also be notoriously challenging environments for internet connectivity.  Due to large event attendance, racetracks often experience slow, overloaded networks, making it difficult for teams to communicate, access critical race data, or stream live events.

WombatNET recently had the opportunity to overcome these exact challenges at the Taupō International Motorsport Park. Partnering with Team RWorksNZ during the NZIGP weekend, we deployed a portable connectivity solution that completely bypassed the typical trackside Wi-Fi bottlenecks, despite a heavy crowd of up to around 1,000 attendees, all congesting the local networks.

The Challenge: Network Congestion and Limited Bandwidth

Public Wi-Fi at motorsport events often crumble under heavy load. During major national events, hundreds or even thousands of devices compete for limited bandwidth in a highly localised area. Because the existing infrastructure is usually unable to handle that spike in traffic, we’ve heard of scenarios where event organisers have been forced to withhold network access entirely to ensure critical comms can still get through.

Team RWorksNZ needed a reliable way to access race documentation, monitor real-time transponder data, and stream video – none of which was possible on the overloaded local infrastructure – they’ve tried before.

The WombatNET Solution: Rapid, High-Speed Deployment

To solve this, we provided a powerful, localised network tailored specifically to the team’s pit area. Using minimal equipment – a compact Nokia FastMile 4G+ modem paired with a Wi-Fi 6 Access Point (AP) – we established a dedicated connection.

Instead of relying on the struggling track network, we pulled a high-performing 4G+ connection from a One NZ tower located approximately five kilometres away.

• Rapid Setup: The deployment was incredibly straightforward. Simply pointing the antenna, powering up the unit, and connecting the devices, the network was fully operational in under 30 minutes.

• High Performance: Despite the distant tower servicing hundreds of other event-goers, our temporary solution consistently delivered excellent performance with speeds exceeding 200 Mbps.

The Results: Uninterrupted Trackside Operations

Throughout the high-stakes race weekend, Team RWorksNZ experienced zero network downtime. The connection allowed for instant access to critical race data, and at the end of a busy day, even provided ample bandwidth for the team to unwind and stream entertainment – a luxury rarely achievable without difficulty while in a trackside pit lane at NZ’s often remote race tracks.

Why Choose WombatNET for Event Wi-Fi?

• Rapid deployment: Fully operational within an hour.

• Compact and portable: Minimal equipment with low power requirements.

• Reliable connectivity: High-speed connections that bypass local network congestion and provide backup.

• Highly flexible: The ideal solution for short-term events, remote locations, and temporary setups.

— Your team at WombatNET