Dirt track racing in New Zealand

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Speedway is a popular type of motorsport that takes place on oval tracks in New Zealand. A number of tracks throughout the country provide regular racing programs and sanctioned racing series. The seasons tend to be from November to April.

Contents

Types of event

There are several types of event in New Zealand speedway including

Some types of racing (such as figure 8 racing) are banned by Speedway New Zealand, but are run from time to time by independent promoters.

Travelling Series

There are several types of travelling series in New Zealand speedway including

[1]

Classes

The classes that race at New Zealand tracks include

..

Venues

North Island

Track NameCodeLocationTypeClassesResults
Baypark M Mount Maunganui 470 meter clay ovalSuper Saloons, Saloons, Stockcars, Mini Stocks, Sprintcars Results
Gisborne Awapuni SpeedwayG Gisborne 390 m. clay ovalProduction Saloons, Superstocks, Stockcars, Ministocks, Super Saloons, Saloons, Streetstocks, Three Quarter Midgets, Sidecars, Solos Results
Huntly Placemakers SpeedwayH Huntly 380 m. clay ovalModifieds, Minisprints, Super Saloons, Saloons, Production Saloons, Superstocks, Stockcars, Ministocks Results
McDonald's Kihikihi SpeedwayK Kihikihi 400 m. clay ovalSuperstocks, Stockcars, Ministocks, Streetstocks, Saloons, Production Saloons, Sidecars, Minisprints Results
Meremere SpeedwayM Meremere dirt triangular ovalSuper Saloons, Saloons, Sidecars, Superstocks, Stockcars, Ministocks, Streetstocks, Three Quarter Midgets Results
Whangarei SpeedwayWR Whangarei clay ovalSaloons, Stockcars, Production Saloons
Ocean View SpeedwayV Wanganui 344 m. clay ovalProduction Saloons, Sidecars, Superstocks, Stockcars, Mini Stocks Results
Palmerston North International Speedway P Palmerston North 434 m. clay/lime ovalSuper Saloons, Saloons, Superstocks, Stockcars, Ministocks, Street Stocks, Sprintcars, Minisprints, Midgets, Sidecars
TWS Paradise Valley RacewayR Rotorua 365 m. clay/lime ovalMinisprints, Modifieds, Production Saloons, Saloons, Superstocks, Stockcars, Streetstocks, Youth Ministocks Results
Rangeview SpeedwayRV Waharoa clay ovalFormula 500s, Minisprints, Mini Stocks, Saloons
Rosebank DomainA Avondale, Auckland 320 m. clay ovalSidecars, Solos, 1/4 Midgets Results
Springs Speedway A Western Springs, Auckland 428 m. slightly-banked clay oval Midgets, Three Quarter Midgets, Sprintcars, 1/4 Midgets, F2 Midgets
Stratford International SpeedwayS Stratford 380 m. papa mudstone ovalModifieds, Super Saloons, Saloons, Superstocks, Stockcars, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks Results
Waikaraka ParkA Onehunga, Auckland 450 m. clay ovalModifieds, Super Saloons, Saloons, Stockcars, Super Stocks, Street Stocks, Minisprints, Ministocks
Wellington Family Speedway W Wellington 385 m. clay/sand/lime ovalModifieds, Sprintcars, Super Saloons, Saloons, Superstocks, Minisprints, Youth Mini Stocks, Stockcars, Streetstocks. Results
Meeanee SpeedwayB Meeanee, Napier 400 m. clay/sand/lime ovalSidecars, Solos, TQ Midgets, Super Saloons, Saloons, Stockcars, Superstocks, Streetstocks, Production Saloons, Youth Ministocks and Kiwi Lites
Harrisville Speedway Bulls, New Zealand 480 m. dirt oval

South Island

Track NameCodeLocationTypeClassesResults
Central Motor SpeedwayT Cromwell 446 m. clay oval Midgets, Saloons, Sidecars, Stockcars, Mini Stocks Results
Eastern States Speedway E Blenheim 420 m. clay ovalSuper Saloons, Saloons, Production Saloons, Superstocks, Stockcars, Streetstocks, Ministocks, Sprintcars, Modifieds, Sidecars Results
Greenstone Park SpeedwayGM Greymouth 403 m. clay ovalModifieds, Saloons, Stockcars, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks, Three Quarter Midgets
Beachlands Speedway DWaldronville408 m. clay ovalSaloons, Stockcars, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks, Three Quarter Midgets Results
Riverside RacewayIInvercargill410 m. clay/crusher dust/lime oval Midgets, Saloons, Stockcars, Standard Stocks, Street Stocks, Sprintcars, Youth saloons, production saloons, Modified Sprintcars Results
Ruapuna Speedway C Christchurch 406 m. & 205 m. clay ovals Midgets, Three Quarter Midgets, Quarter Midgets, Sprintcars, Modified Sprints, Six Shooters Results
Ellesmere Motor Racing ClubCSelwyn, Christchurch443 m. clay oval Midgets, Three Quarter Midgets, Sidecars, Sprintcars, Modified Sprints, Quarter Midgets, Productions, Six Shooter, Moto X
Top of the South SpeedwayN Nelson 343 m. clay ovalMidgets, Three Quarter Midgets, Modifieds, Super Saloons, Sidecars, Stockcars, Street Stocks, Superstocks, Production Saloons Results
Sunset SpeedwayYNorth Beach, Westport 296 m. crushed mudstone ovalSaloons, Solos, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks
Woodford Glen Speedway C Kaiapoi 410 m. clay mix ovalModifieds, Saloons, Stockcars, Mini Stocks, Super Stocks, Street Stocks, Super Saloons Results

Class Champions List

CTRA 1/4 Midgets Championship Winners

SeasonTrack1ST2ND3RD
2024Jack Brownlees 23cDarcy Rasmussen 71c

SNZ New Zealand SprintCar Championship Winners

SeasonTrack1ST2ND3RD
2024Western SpringsJoel Myers Jr 46USADean Cooper 84PJamie Larsen 82P
2023RuapunaDaniel Thomas 3NZKMichael Pickens 1NZAMatthew Leversedge 78C
2022Not held due to Covid
2021BayparkMichael Pickens 2NZAJonathan Allard 11USADaniel Thomas 55K
2020Palmerston NorthJamie Larsen 2NZPMichael Pickens 3NZARodney Wood 51M
2019Cromwell Buddy Kofoid 8USAJamie Larsen 82PMichael Pickens 2NZA
2018Western SpringsKerry Brocas 21AMichael Pickens 54AJames Dahm 6M
2017RuapunaJamie Larsen 3NZPJonathan Allard 1NZ(USA)Jamie McDonald 71A
2016BayparkJonathan Allard 0USADean Brindle 22AJamie Larsen 82P
2015Palmerston NorthJamie Duff 19ARicky Logan 18USADaniel Eggleton 78A
2014CromwellRodney Wood 51MDean Brindle 2NZAJamie McDonald 71A
2013Western SpringsPeter Murphy 11USADean Brindle 22ADaniel Eggleton 78A
2012RuapunaSammy Swindell 1USAJonathan Allard 1NZ(USA)Austen Wheatley 44USA
2011BayparkJonathan Allard 2NZ(USA)Tommy Tarlton 21USAPeter Murphy 11USA
2010CromwellRodney Wood 51MJonathan Allard 0USARicky Logan 10USA
2009Palmerston NorthDean Brindle 22ARicky Logan 10USAGreg Pickerill 18A
2008BayparkCarl Wilson 56AKerry Jones 84MPhil Game 77A
2007Western SpringsJamie McDonald 2NZAKerry Jones 1NZMAllan Wakeling 27A

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stock car racing</span> Form of automobile racing

Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing run on oval tracks and road courses measuring approximately 0.25 to 2.66 miles. It originally used production-model cars, hence the name "stock car", but is now run using cars specifically built for racing. It originated in the southern United States; its largest governing body is NASCAR. Its NASCAR Cup Series is the premier top-level series of professional stock car racing. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and the United Kingdom also have forms of stock car racing. Top-level races typically range between 200 and 600 miles in length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorcycle speedway</span> Motorcycle sport

Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to simply as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. The motorcycles are specialist machines that use only one gear and have no brakes. Racing takes place on a flat oval track usually consisting of dirt, loosely packed shale, or crushed rock. Competitors use this surface to slide their machines sideways, powersliding or broadsiding into the bends. On the straight sections of the track, the motorcycles reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sprint car racing</span> Auto racing with small, open-wheel, high-power vehicles

Sprint cars are high-powered open-wheel race cars, designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval or circular dirt or paved tracks. Historically known simply as "big cars," distinguishing them from "midget cars," sprint car racing is popular primarily in the United States and Canada, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midget car racing</span> Type of racing using midget cars

Midget cars, also speedcars in Australia, is a class of racing cars. The cars are very small with a very high power-to-weight ratio and typically use four cylinder engines. They originated in the United States in the 1930s and are raced on most continents. There is a worldwide tour and national midget tours in the United States, Australia, Argentina and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oval track racing</span> Form of auto racing track

Oval track racing is a form of motorsport that is contested on an oval-shaped race track. An oval track differs from a road course in that the layout resembles an oval with turns in only one direction, and the direction of traffic is almost universally counter-clockwise. Oval tracks are dedicated motorsport circuits, used predominantly in the United States. They often have banked turns and some, despite the name, are not precisely oval, and the shape of the track can vary.

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Avalon Raceway is a dirt track racing venue located in Lara, Victoria, Australia. The track is based on a clay sand mix, is oval shaped and is 390 metres in length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liverpool Speedway</span> Speedway in New South Wales, Australia

Liverpool Speedway was located in Green Valley, Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Liverpool was officially opened by Frank Oliveri and the Oliveri Family, alongside Ald. E. Smith, the mayor of Liverpool at the time, and ran until its sudden and unexpected closure in 1989. Frank Oliveri would later share track management with track announcer and promoter, Channel 7 television sports presenter Mike Raymond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park</span> Oval race track

Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (TSMP), formerly Thompson Speedway and Thompson International Speedway, is a motorsports park in Thompson, Connecticut, featuring a 0.625 mi (1.006 km) high-banked paved oval racetrack and a 1.700 mi (2.736 km) road racing course. Once known as the "Indianapolis of the East", it was the first asphalt-paved racing oval track in the United States and is now under the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and Pro All Star Series (P.A.S.S) banners. Each year Thompson hosts one of the great fall variety events "The World Series of Auto Racing" highlighted by the International Supermodified Association and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. This event frequently draws over 350 race cars in 16 separate divisions over three days. Besides that, it currently hosts NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and also hosted various SCCA sports car races between 1957 and 1972, NASCAR Grand National series races between 1951 and 1970, and two SCCA F5000 events in 1968 and 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orange County Speedway</span>

Orange County Speedway is a 38 mile (0.60 km) asphalt oval in Orange County, North Carolina, near Rougemont. It first opened in 1966 as a 14 mile (0.40 km) and a 58 mile (1.0 km) dirt oval, which operated until 1967 and 1973, respectively. The facility was reopened and paved in 1983. With a slogan of "the fastest 3/8-mile race track in America," the oval features 19-degree banking through the turns and 16 degrees on the straightaways, creating three distinct grooves making for very fast turns. The aluminum grandstands stretch from Turn 4 all the way down the front straightaway to Turn 1. The speedway closed in 2003 but reopened on March 11, 2006.

Concord Speedway was a motorsports facility located in the town of Midland, North Carolina, southeast of Concord, North Carolina. The complex featured a 12-mile asphalt tri-oval and a 14-mile asphalt oval.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorcycle racing</span> Racing sport using motorcycles

The motorcycle sport of racing includes motorcycle road racing and off-road racing, both either on circuits or open courses, and track racing. Other categories include hill climbs, drag racing and land speed record trials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oswego Speedway</span> Asphalt race track in Oswego, New York

The Oswego Speedway is a 5/8 mile race track in Oswego, New York. It was built in 1951 and was paved with asphalt since the 1952. The track has held dates on several national tours - the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, ASA National Tour, and USAC Silver Crown Series. It was temporarily covered with dirt in 2016 when it held a one-off Super DIRTcar Series race. The track is the Labor Day Weekend home of the 200-lap, non-wing, big-block supermodified Budweiser Classic and Race of Champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Smyrna Speedway</span> Race track

New Smyrna Speedway is a 1/2-mile asphalt oval racetrack located near New Smyrna Beach, Florida, that races the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series every Saturday night. It also has a smaller track, known as "Little New Smyrna Speedway" in the infield. This track races quarter midgets on Friday nights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adelaide International Raceway</span> Race track in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

The Adelaide International Raceway is a permanent circuit owned by Australian Motorsport Club Limited under the auspices of the Bob Jane Corporation. The circuit is located 26 km (16 mi) north of Adelaide in South Australia on Port Wakefield Road at Virginia, and is adjacent to Adelaide's premier car racing Dirt track racing venue, Speedway City. AIR is owned by the Bob Jane Corporation and run by the Australian Motorsport Club Ltd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Modified stock car racing</span> Racing events with modified factory autos

Modified stock car racing, also known as modified racing and modified, is a type of auto racing that involves purpose-built cars simultaneously racing against each other on oval tracks. First established in the United States after World War II, this type of racing was early-on characterized by its participants' modification of passenger cars in pursuit of higher speeds, hence the name.

Birch Run Speedway and Event Center, until 2017 known as Dixie Motor Speedway, is a 4/10 (.400) mile, progressively banked, D-shaped oval short track, with an adjoining 1/3 (.333) mile as well as a Figure 8 course located near Birch Run, Michigan. The speedway changed its name from Dixie Speedway to Birch Run Speedway in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dirt track racing in Australia</span>

Dirt track racing is a type of auto racing performed on clay or dirt surfaced oval tracks in Australia. The seasons tend to be from September to April. There are a large number of tracks available Australia wide, with some of the most popular ones being Perth Motorplex, Bunbury Speedway, Speedway City, Premier Speedway Warrnambool and Sydney Speedway. The richest and best known Speedway series in Australia is the World Series Sprintcars. The series was conceived by Adelaide based sedan driver and promoter John Hughes in 1986 as an Australian version of the famous World of Outlaws (WoO) series run in the United States since 1978. The most recent season was the 2014–15 World Series Sprintcars season.

Sydney Speedway was a dirt track racing venue on the site of the Granville Showgrounds in Sydney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridgeport Speedway</span> Racetrack

Bridgeport Speedway is a dirt speedway located in the community of Bridgeport in Logan Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, that consists of a high banked, progressive 4/10 mile 0.375-mile (0.604 km) and a 1/4 mile 0.25-mile (0.40 km) oval located within the bigger track. The Super DIRTcar Series races at the track. Jason Leffler died in an accident at the track in 2013.

References

  1. "Macgors NZ Speedway Links". Macgors Speedway. Retrieved 26 June 2016.