Source: Radio New Zealand
Millions of dollars have been spent on a new speedway track at Auckland’s Waikaraka Park, with drivers calling it “a win” for the motor sports community.
An $11 million construction project has finished just in time for the first Auckland race of the 2025-2026 speedway season on Saturday.
Speedway New Zealand, the governing body of the sport in Aotearoa, certified the safety of the new track on November 26.
It was the first new speedway track the country had built in the last 25 years.
Midget car driver Ben Morrison was stoked to test out the track for the first time on Thursday, a year after the upgrades were first announced.
Midget car driver Ben Morrison. RNZ / Marika Khabazi
“We’ve all followed the progress on social media and seen how it’s tracking. Huge credit to the people who have been building this in the wettest months of the year, and they got it done just in time.
“It was a whole lot of fun out there. I think it’s got potential to be the best track in the country.”
In October 2024, Auckland Council made the controversial decision to end nearly 100 years of speedway racing at Western Springs and move all speedway to Waikaraka Park in Onehunga.
Sprint car driver Luke Brown, who also owned and worked on his car, said it was sad to see speedway end at Western Springs.
“It is sad that Western Springs is gone. Awesome place, awesome venue, awesome history.”
But he said the new track was a massive improvement from what the city had to offer before, and it made more sense to have a single venue for motorsports.
The new and improved speedway track opens on Saturday. RNZ / Marika Khabazi
“For me, I think it’s a vast improvement in terms of spectator viewership and potential sponsorship. It’s one facility run by two different groups. It’s the best of both worlds; you can pick and choose which [speedway] classes you want or don’t want to see.
“The facilities are good, and they’re only going to get better. Overall, I think it’s a win.”
After its facelift, Waikaraka Park now sported a wider track, new lighting and toilet facilities, and an improved speedway safety wall and catch fence.
A new pit area had been built, fitting up to 130 racers at a time, 40 more than before. The pit would also be open to fans during racing, for them to mingle with drivers.
There was also a new heritage wall, honouring the track’s history from when speedway racing started there in 1967.
Auckland Stock and Saloon Car Club, which hosted speedway events at Waikaraka Park, said at the moment, the venue could accommodate 4500 spectators at a time, with 3000 in the grandstand.
Waikaraka Park can accommodate 4500 spectators at a time. RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Club promoter Bruce Robertson said the new track, designed by an architect who is a former speedway driver, was similar to international speedway tracks.
“We’ve really got a great facility here for racing and the track’s banked as well, which is unusual for a New Zealand track; there’s only one other that has a banked track. This is something they’ll get used to and enjoy American-style racing.”
He said the consolidation of speedway in Auckland to just one venue means drivers and fans would have a better experience.
“There’s still some thinking Western Springs [speedway] should continue on. But if this [upgrade] wasn’t done, they would have nowhere to race.
“I’ve invested a lot in Western Springs, unfortunately, but times have changed.”
They were expecting sell-out crowds for their upcoming events.
Racing will return on Saturday. RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Waikaraka Park had a lease in place until 2051, with the club, which would now host all four-wheel speedway classes, including the open wheel classes that previously raced at Western Springs.
Meanwhile, the Western Springs Speedway Association was taking Auckland Council to court.
Spokesperson Jason Jones believed having just one venue for speedway would not help the sport’s growth.
“We’re happy for Waikaraka, but it’s not a solution for the entire sport whatsoever.
“Anyone who says it’s a great thing for speedway moving forward is not being truthful.”
He argued Western Springs could accommodate larger crowds, which would attract more money from sponsors.
“A key aspect of the business model with motorsport is sponsorship, if you own a car or your race, and that’s solely based around bums on seats. The less people you have at a venue, the less exposure you have for your branding, and the less likely it is for you to gain sponsorship.”
Celebrating the opening of the new track, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) chief executive Nick Hill said focusing on Waikaraka was the right call.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) chief executive Nick Hill. RNZ / Marika Khabazi
“Not everybody has been supportive of these changes and the consolidation, but that’s the history of all sporting venues when they consolidate or move somewhere new.
“People are very passionate about their experiences with sport, and there’s a lot of history with the [speedway] venues. But this secures the future of speedway in Auckland in one place, and at one venue.”
TAU were looking at adding more spectator seating at Waikaraka Park in the future.
Auckland Council was expected to make a final decision about how Western Springs Stadium will be used going forward early next year.
Racing will return to Waikaraka Park from Saturday, November 29, for stock and saloon cars, followed by open-wheel racing on Saturday, December 13.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand