Hydraulink War of the Wings

Last updated

Hydraulink War of the Wings
Logo of War of the Wings.jpg
Category Dirt track racing
Country New Zealand
Tyre suppliersHoosier
Drivers' champion Flag of New Zealand.svg Connor Rangi
Teams' champion Flag of New Zealand.svg Connor Rangi Motorsport
Official website https://www.warofthewingssprintcars.co.nz
Motorsport current event.svg Current season

The Hydraulink War of the Wings (also known as WOW) is a New Zealand based dirt track racing series, with championship rounds held throughout the South Island. Founded in 1997, the tour has grown to become a consistent fixture on the New Zealand Speedway calendar and has attracted numerous drivers from international racing backgrounds. In 2016 and again in 2018 the War of the Wings was the winner of the 'Best Speedway Series' category at the New Zealand Speedway Awards.

Contents

Origins

In 1997 Sprint Car Racing in the South Island was in a perilous state. Just a handful of cars could be depended on to 'hit the track'. A group of enthusiasts headed by Brian Barclay, Alistair Kelso and Allan Batt put their energy into forming a 'mini' series that would run at Ruapuna, Dunedin, Ellesmere and Ashburton. Slowly but surely the numbers and enthusiasm grew and in time Cromwell became a destination as did Nelson, Invercargill, Blenheim and Woodford Glen.

There have been a couple of seasons when the War of the Wings has been sidelined, primarily by the cessation of the original South Island Sprint Car Association, and the 2010-11 events fell victim to the Christchurch earthquakes.

In 2007 the Sprint car Association was re-ignited and plans were put in place to 'grow' the series by putting up an irresistible amount of prize and travel incentives. [1]

Sporting regulations

War of the Wings is run at venues licensed by Speedway New Zealand, the major governing body of Speedway in NZ, as well as venues licensed by the Circle Track Racing Association (CTRA).

Race day format

War of the Wings race day formats go as follows: 30 minutes before racing begins, Time Trials are held to determine the lineups of the heat races along with giving out points for the fastest time. The program then continues as scheduled, with War of the Wings Heat Races 1,2 and 3 mixed in amongst the support classes. Eventually, the meeting generally rounds off with the War of the Wings Feature race.

Championship points system


Cars

The Hydraulink War of the Wings series currently includes the Winged Sprintcar class. This class features a 410ci Engine.

Tracks

War of the Wings tracks
TrackSurface TypeLengthLocationRegionSeason(s)Races held

Records

Champions

Season
WinnerRace No.Second PlaceThird Place
2024-25 Flag of New Zealand.svg Connor Rangi57n Flag of the United States.svg Joel Myers Jr Flag of New Zealand.svg Dyllan Forsey
2023-24 Flag of the United States.svg Joel Myers Jr46USA Flag of New Zealand.svg Connor Rangi Flag of New Zealand.svg Dyllan Forsey
2022-23 Flag of the United States.svg Joel Myers Jr46c Flag of New Zealand.svg Matt Anderson Flag of New Zealand.svg Jacob McIntyre
2021-22 Flag of New Zealand.svg Connor Rangi57n Flag of New Zealand.svg Stephen Taylor Flag of New Zealand.svg Steve Duff Jr
2020-21 Flag of New Zealand.svg Jamie Duff19c Flag of New Zealand.svg Connor Rangi Flag of New Zealand.svg Caleb Baughan
2019-20 Flag of New Zealand.svg Caleb Baughan59c Flag of New Zealand.svg Alicia Hill Flag of New Zealand.svg Paddy North
2018-19 Flag of New Zealand.svg Jamie Duff19t Flag of New Zealand.svg Connor Rangi Flag of New Zealand.svg Sam O'Callaghan
2017-18 Flag of New Zealand.svg Jamie Duff19t Flag of New Zealand.svg Connor Rangi Flag of New Zealand.svg Daniel Anderson
2016-17 Flag of New Zealand.svg Jamie Duff19t Flag of New Zealand.svg Matt Honeywell Flag of New Zealand.svg Luke Keegan
2015-16 [N 1] Flag of Australia (converted).svg Allan Woods28 Flag of New Zealand.svg Ray Baughan Flag of New Zealand.svg Matt Honeywell
2014-15 [N 2] Flag of New Zealand.svg Matt Honeywell64 Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Scott Flag of New Zealand.svg Brett Sullivan
2013-14 Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Scott88 Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg
2012-13 Flag of New Zealand.svg Ray Baughan95c Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg
2011-12 Flag of the United States.svg Barry Martinez Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg
2009-10 Flag of New Zealand.svg Jamie Duff19t Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg
2008-09 Flag of New Zealand.svg Danny Mayson Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg
2007-08 Flag of New Zealand.svg Kevin Freeman Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg
2004-05 Flag of New Zealand.svg Jeremy Harley Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg
2003-04 Flag of New Zealand.svg Kevin Clive Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg
2002-03 Flag of New Zealand.svg Kevin Freeman Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg
2001-02 Flag of New Zealand.svg Nigel Brown Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg
2000-01 Flag of New Zealand.svg Jeremy Harley Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg
1999-00 Flag of New Zealand.svg Daryl Wright Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg
1998-99 Flag of New Zealand.svg Steve Duff Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg
1997-98 Flag of New Zealand.svg Bruce Pluck Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg

All figures correct end of 2023-24 season.

Key
BoldHydraulink War of the Wings Champion
Hydraulink War of the Wings Feature Race Winners
RankCountryDriverWinsActive
1Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Jamie Duff302009–present

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryResult
2018New Zealand Speedway AwardsSeries of the YearWinner
2016New Zealand Speedway AwardsSeries of the YearWinner

Notes

  1. Woods, Baughan and Honeywell tied on points.
  2. Scott & Sullivan tied on points.

References

  1. "WAR OF THE WINGS". Hydraulink. Retrieved 25 January 2024.