Speedway
Further information: 2012 Speedway Grand Prix of New ZealandWestern Springs Stadium has been used for speedway since November 30, 1936 when motorcycling (broad siding) was introduced. Midget Car racing started in December 1937 with an International race including NZ pioneers Ron Roycroft and Geo Smith. The first full speedway season started in January 1938. With the war years there was a break until 1944 when Speedway with Cycling, Motor Cycling and Midget Cars became the major entertainment event during the summer months in Auckland.
Speedway events take place at the stadium from early November through to mid March. Speedway activities have been under threat in recent years due to complaints and legal action from a local minority group. Currently speedway events are limited to 12 events per season, but negotiations and legal action by community groups and speedway promoters are ongoing.
On 31 March 2012 Western Springs Stadium will play host to the opening round of the 2012 Speedway Grand Prix, the first time the Speedway Grand Prix has ever been held in New Zealand. The 413m long track will be the longest track used in the 2012 series.
Read more about this topic: Western Springs Stadium
Famous quotes containing the word speedway:
“The improved American highway system ... isolated the American-in-transit. On his speedway ... he had no contact with the towns which he by-passed. If he stopped for food or gas, he was served no local fare or local fuel, but had one of Howard Johnson’s nationally branded ice cream flavors, and so many gallons of Exxon. This vast ocean of superhighways was nearly as free of culture as the sea traversed by the Mayflower Pilgrims.”
—Daniel J. Boorstin (b. 1914)