Earlier today, the current Western Springs Speedway promotions posted a statement to Facebook. This is what they had to say.
The $11 million upgrade of racing and competitor facilities at Waikaraka Park is well underway.
The new racetrack will measure (under the New Zealand measuring standard, being one metre out from the pole line) 410 metres long (Western Springs: 413 metres).
16.5 metres wide in the corners (Western Springs: 16 metres).
13.5 metres wide in the straights (Western Springs: 10.2 metres).
Both turns will be banked. The current Waikaraka clay surface will be retained.
Much has been said about the safety fence at Waikaraka Park. The new safety fence will be five metres high, this being one metre higher than both the old fence and the Western Springs fence, with a kick-out on the top.
It will have an extra three wire ropes for strength in the construction of the fence. The fence will exceed the Speedway New Zealand standards and Australian standards. It will be of greater quality than the fences at many venues around New Zealand.
The old track lighting is being completely replaced with a new lighting system that will provide broadcast-quality lighting for the venue. The new pit area, which will complement the existing pit area, will have capacity for 125 full-size pit spaces. This will allow teams to work from their trailers.
With a greater capacity and a one-way flow of vehicles, the Waikaraka pit area will be open to the public during race meetings. Improvements are being made to the grandstand seating on the back straight, and a new toilet block is also being constructed to replace the old facility on the back straight.
The front straight grandstand will remain in its current form, with a capacity of 2,000 plastic seats.
Under its current configuration, the stadium will have a capacity to accommodate all regular audiences.
If capacity is exceeded for special or one-off events, extra seating can be installed, or the house full signs can go up, every promoter’s dream.
A draft calendar has been released showing 12 available Open Wheel Racing dates. These dates will need some modification to fit in with other tracks and SNZ championship events, but it does show a clear intention to host standalone Open Wheel meetings.
As per the latest SNZ Newsletter, SNZ have confirmed that any championships allocated to Western Springs will remain in place at the new venue.
With a larger pit facility and less restrictive operating conditions, it will be possible to host more open-wheel classes at each race meeting. The ability to run practice nights is also positive for teams looking to test and tune, or for new competitors entering our sport.
Is all this possible by November 2025? Who knows.
If you look at the construction site in its current state, that would seem ambitious, but the schedule of works shows it is on track for completion on time. We attend fortnightly meetings with representatives from the project management team to give updates on progress and to discuss any changes.
Construction couldn’t have started any earlier. The contractors have thrown their full resources at it and are currently working to schedule. Every effort is being made to have this venue ready for November, but no one can control the weather in an Auckland winter, and if it is delayed, that is just what it is.
A delayed new venue in Auckland is better than no venue at all.
We have never told drivers where they should or shouldn’t race or discouraged them from racing at any other venue. We have never turned away drivers from other tracks simply because they are not Auckland registered. This will continue to be our policy.
This facility is being built with the investment of $11 million of public money and the cooperation of a Speedway club, which already had a 30-year lease in place, to give Auckland Open Wheel Speedway Racing a secure home for the future.
We needed to look forward to future-proof our sport.
It is everyone’s individual choice if they wish to support the new venue, or to look back with selective memories or a blinkered view on what they had before.
But particularly for Auckland-based drivers and teams who choose to sign with tracks outside of your region, you will have little right to comment or complain about having no open-wheel facility in Auckland if you don’t support it.
Did we have a choice to leave Western Springs? NO
Was an opportunity for a new venue hire agreement offered from the stadium owners? NO
Did anyone put forward a proposal to operate Speedway at Western Springs? NO
Will any Speedway anywhere ever offer the uniqueness and history of Western Springs? NO
Has 11 million dollars been invested to give Open Wheel Racing a future in Auckland? YES
Remember, Speedway in Auckland isn’t ending, it is moving. Like Rugby League moved from Carlaw Park, Soccer moved from Newmarket Park, Go-Karting is moving from Rosebank Road, Cricket is moving to Colin Maiden Park, and concerts are now a regular feature on the Eden Park calendar. Things change, but the world doesn’t end.
Sometimes, from adversity comes opportunity. It has been a long time since Speedway in New Zealand has had a new facility built for the enjoyment of racers and fans.
Header Image: Western Springs Speedway Facebook
So where is REAL SPEEDWAY SOLO’s going?
So waikaraka will not have kids or TQ or class 2 midget car racing which is needs to be so young drivers can master their skills,now western Springs this is all possible.Parking is going to be the issue to and moving from western Springs will kill the sport coz crowds who supported western Springs won’t be going to waikaraka parkland it will never have the same atmosphere that western Springs have .So without the kids racing no families will going so less interest.
It’s too far to go, traffic congested especially if racing is on as well as Mt. Smart. At least western springs is organized and has been from day 1. Perfect it to stay as separate identity, stocks are not happy with WS coming to their turf. WS don’t want this either, leave things alone
Been going to western Springs since I was a child. Now 70
Sitting on plastic chairs takes the atmosphere away of spreading your blanket out and having a picnic while watching the cars.
It will all be totally different. I will not be going any more but will miss it. Overseas drivers always made comments about the great Western Springs stadium.
Will the sound system be upgraded at Waikaraka park as the current one is terrible just been patched up time after time also what disability faculkries are being built for parking and soectators
I’ve been to both
Parking at Waikaraka park
Absolutely shocking
Probably won’t bother any more
Very short sited of the council to destroy what is a great family event because of people who moved into the area and new what was there
Please read the article again and perhaps look at the situation with the glass half full instead of half empty.
Solo Bikes have not raced at Western Springs for more than 25 years and will continue to race at the Solo specific track at the Rosebank Domain.
Kiwi Kids, TQ Midgets and Class 2 Midgets will be able to race at Waikaraka Park as they have done in the past but now will have the opportunity for new drivers to be mentored by senior drivers at practice sessions which was not possible at Western Springs due to the Council restrictions.
Heather , when an event was being held at Eden Park, Western Springs suffered the same congestion issues. So far as ” to far to go” , at least there will be a Speedway in Auckland City and you will not have to travel to Huntly, Kihikihi or Bay Park to watch Open Wheel racing. Who Knows it may be closer at Waikara Park for people with an open mind.
Desley you are are right , it will be different, but if you wont go because you cant spread out your blanket you may or may not be missing the best open wheel competitors in New Zealand and the USA race each other.
As for the sound system we must presume in a stadium up grade including lighting there will be improvements to get the sound system more in line with what is acceptable.
Sucks bigtime !!
WP always had a better surface stop crying and get on with racing