Last lap for famed old Springs track | Auckland Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Auckland

Love it or hate it, the Speedway has been part of Auckland summers for 80 years. But its luck may be about to run out, John Landrigan discovers.

Driving at 140km/h on the straights and 100km/h on the bends will blast you around the 400m lap of Western Springs Speedway in fewer than 14 seconds. Graham Standring loves the fast, furious sport. The 54-year-old is one race short of a century of wins in his midget race car career spanning 26 years.

But completing his historic achievement on his beloved home track is threatened by yet another attack on its existence.

Thousands of fans from across Auckland turn up on Saturday nights but, in recent years, the Speedway has been in the firing line over the number of race meetings, start times and noise  levels from irate residents in recent years.

Now an Auckland Regional Physical Activity and Sports Strategy (we'll call it Arpass) report on what major sports arenas are needed, and where they should be housed in the region, says the Speedway is not the best option.

A summary report, part of a five-year project costing more than $2.2 million, is being presented to its funding agents, the seven territorial local authorities, the regional council, four regional sports trusts and SPARC.

Speedway has been a part of Western Springs for  more than 80 years, but according to the author of the 35-page document, its future there is "uncertain".

That's news to Mr Standring, many thousands of fans, NZ Speedway president Peter Kuriger and the Auckland promoter of the sport.

"Speedway's requirements," reads the report, "are driven by uncertainty surrounding the future of Western Springs once the current lease expires in seven years.

"Prior to its expiry, it will be necessary to have developed a new facility, either by expanding and upgrading the existing Waikaraka Park or by delivering a new facility at either Colin Dale Park [near the airport] or another suitable location."

When The Aucklander perused phase three of the agency's full report, which is not presented to the strategy partners, it said Western Springs  was "likely to have to move" and the change is listed as needing "major" attention.

The other "suitable location" is in the Waikato, at the newly developed Hampton Downs race track, even further away than the proposed Auckland regional authority boundaries.

Springs Promotions general manager Lewis Dawson can't believe an organisation set up to find the best venue in Auckland would ignore the most iconic track, not consult the major players then suggest moving to another region.

"Western Springs has been purpose-built since 1929. This is Speedway's home. There is no better place for the sport."

Overseas, Mr Dawson says, when inner-city speedways moved to multimillion-dollar courses on the outskirts, they did not survive.

"If Speedway is moved from the city, it would kill the sport."

Former Manukau city manager Colin Dale is chairman of Arpass. Colin Dale Park was named after him because of his long service with the council.

When The Aucklander approached Mr Dale, he did not know enough of the details of the report to comment. Its author is no longer with the organisation.

Back trackside, drivers and fans would rather be left to enjoy the sport, without the politics.

Mr Standring loves the speed, the element of danger and the family feel of the sport.

"Western Springs is the Twickenham of Speedway. It is an iconic venue known throughout the world. Fans and competitors will be out on the streets again to protest to prevent it being moved."

Ah ... pass

The Auckland Regional Physical Activity and Sport Strategy is nearing its expiry date. Last March The Aucklander reported people from grassroots sports bodies questioning the need for it.

The strategy received $2.2 million of rates and taxpayer money since its inception in 2005 and a further $170,000 in grassroots sport grants was to prioritise and identify major sporting facilities across the region and help participation levels in sport. A final report is due in May.