Western Springs Speedway is set to begin its season for 2024 on Saturday, with drivers from across the country congregating at the famous venue for what could be the final year.
Promoters were originally offered a one-year extension to their current contract to compensate for Covid disruptions. But after last year’s Auckland floods which caused widespread damage at Western Springs, that appears to be off the table, leaving the sport and its fans in limbo.
Speaking to Breakfast this morning, Western Springs Speedway manager John McCallum said race organisers have no clue as to why their contract hasn't yet been renewed.
“There has never been a clear explanation as to what is going to replace it at Western Springs or is something else going to go in there.”
The venue is run by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, who lease it to Speedway.
McCallum said negotiations were ongoing and the parties were acting in good faith.
“And we think we’ve been a good tenant, and we’ve been good neighbours.”
“We don’t see any reason for moving, and I’m hopeful – we’ve seen some positive moves in the last week or so that we’ll see some sort of extension there.”
He said its contract finishes in March, and there is nothing concrete beyond that, but he is “confident” an agreement could be reached.
He said speedway leaving the venue would be a huge blow to Auckland’s motorsport scene, and the city was a whole.
“It’s part of the fabric of Auckland. It’s very rare that you’ll find an Aucklander who hasn’t been to the speedway.
“It’s something that needs to be there.”
He said without the speedway, the sport in New Zealand would “change dramatically”.
“It would be like rugby without Eden Park.”
He’s asking Aucklanders to “get along there and fill the stadium” to show the city still wants to see the venue remain open.
In a statement to 1News, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited's director of stadiums James Parkinson, said it is "in ongoing conversations with speedway representatives on plans for next season, and we are committed to finding a positive outcome".
He also confirmed the hire agreement ends on March 31.
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