End of an era for Western Springs Speedway

Western Springs Speedway looks set to be bumped from the central Auckland venue after 95 years of racing.

It follows Auckland councillors voting 11-8 on October 30 to spend $11 million upgrading Onehunga’s Waikaraka Park (host of stock and saloon car racing) where the speedway will move to.

Speedway will race at the iconic Western Springs track for the last time this summer season.

Speedway New Zealand president Lani Thompson told RNZ that the decision to close one of its “oldest and dearest tracks” came as a surprise to the organisation.

“We were left in the dark… We have been left out of the loop completely so we’re still trying to catch up.”

Thompson says event organisers weren’t informed of the upcoming decision and those involved in the sport are still trying to confirm details.

Speedway New Zealand representatives met with Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown on Tuesday when it heard rumours of the vote.

“It would appear that it is final, however we’re still playing catchup to find out how this has all come about,” Thompson told RNZ.