Action group Save Our Speedway wants the council’s decision to relocate open-wheel racing from Western Springs to Waikaraka Park reversed.
Last year after heated discussions, councillors voted 11-8 in favour of moving all speedway events in the city to Waikaraka Park. The new smaller venue would undergo an $11m upgrade.
However, Save Our Speedway aims to force a reversal of that decision, according to a Stuff article. The action group believes proper process wasn’t carried out at Governing Body meetings last year.
But Western Springs Speedway manager John McCallum reckons that an upgraded Waikaraka Park gives the sport better longterm security.
“Back as far as most of us can remember, [Western Springs] has been closing for one reason or another, whether it be neighbour complaints, redevelopment or whatever.
“That makes it really hard to future-proof your sport, but if you can go to a home that’s got a 30-year lease that is designated a motorsport precinct, it’s not Western Springs, it never will be, but it is a home.”
Meanwhile, Jason Jones from Save Our Speedway, says the action group is preparing documents to apply for a judicial review.
“The decision is flawed with conflicts of interest, misrepresentation, and failure of process,” Jones says.
He adds that they don’t have an issue with McCallum or current promoter Bruce Robertson. Both parties have made it clear that they want out because of ongoing financial losses.
“Our fight’s not with them, it’s with the way that this whole entire process has been dealt with,” he said.
“Ultimately, we’d like a secure future for our sport.”
Tataki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) solicited expressions of interest (EOI) on what to do with Western Springs from June 7 to July 19 last year.
“The process was short and low-key,” Jones said.
“The EOI did not mention speedway and TAU had told everyone that speedway was out of there.”
However, on June 8, Save Our Speedway published on its Facebook page all the details about the EOI.
Robertson says he has lost $1 million over his five years as promoter of Western Springs. TAU says that because of the speedway bookings, they lose $1.1 million a year by not being able to use Western Springs for other events, such as concerts.
Jones says there needs to be more transparency around the financial details. He said he would also like to see what the crowd numbers are for speedway events at the stadium and also the costs for putting on meetings.
“There needs to be transparency because we’re told it’s not viable, yet it has operated for almost 100 years,” he said.
“TAU redacts all attendance numbers and financials from stadia they oversee. These basics for any business decision-making process were not provided to councillors.”
Despite that, Jones believes speedway could survive at Western Springs.
“Western Springs is viable…but Waikaraka is not a viable option for the sport. Reduced crowd capacity, parking issues, loss of regular patrons and sponsorship is a financial death sentence. Some top speedway competitors have advised us that they will quit if speedway moves.”
For McCallum, his focus is on the remaining three meetings of the season and giving Western Springs a great send-off. The final meeting at the current venue is on Mar 22nd.
