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‘This is not just about us’: Speedway group says plan best utilises Western Springs Stadium
Sport Nation • May 7th, 2026 7:54 am
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Since the 1980s, there’s been an unknown agenda to force speedway out of its longtime home at Western Springs, according to Save Our Speedway spokesperson Jason Jones.
“There’s sort of always been a plan to shift speedway out and put something else in that has never eventuated.” Jones told Sport Nation Afternoons
The speedway, located at Western Springs since 1929, held its supposed final event in March 2025, following the announcement from Auckland Council to merge open-wheel classes from Western Springs with the Auckland Stock and Saloon Car Club at Waikaraka Park in Onehunga.
“We’re not against it (stockcar style racing), it’s a different form of speedway, but we’re all the same family.
“But essentially what’s happened is the council has tried to push two codes together, and for those that don’t follow the sport, this is akin to pushing rugby league and rugby together in the smallest possible stadium you can find, and then going, make that work.”
Jones said open-wheel (Western Springs) style cars are very light and can tumble easily, despite being non-contact, as opposed to stock cars, which are heavier and include racing that involves extreme contact, requiring different safety equipment and procedures.
“The reason there have obviously been two speedway tracks in Auckland is because they run quite differently.
“But the thing with Western Springs is it’s a premier speedway.”
Limited open-wheel racing took place at Waikaraka during the 25/26 season due to extreme weather conditions and forced closures following reported complaints to Health & Safety NZ.
“You’re trying to squash something that is very large into something that is very small, which just does not work.”
In March, Auckland councillors again voted on the future of Western Springs Stadium, concluding with a green light for the concert bowl option, with a continuation of Ponsonby Rugby Club and no plan for speedway.
Jason Jones on the future of speedway | Sport Nation Afternoons
Ponsonby Rugby Club has coexisted since it moved to Western Springs Stadium 30 years ago, along with concert promoters and 97-year speedway tenants.
The shared tenancies are said to have worked well, with speedway operating during summer, rugby during winter, and concerts in between.
“You’ve moved from a model where you had two historical tenants, but you’ve removed the one (speedway) that was contributing the most amount of money, and you’ve gone to this high-risk model.
Jones indicated that, with Eden Park being allowed 32 concerts annually and located nearby, the concert bowl option seems insufficient.
“The only concert that’s actually scheduled at the moment for Western Springs is Foo Fighters next year, which is going to be a fantastic concert, but that’s one.”
Jones said in previous years, speedway has been scheduled around the dates of concerts and festivals.
At present, Jones said Ponsonby and Eccles Entertainment (concert promoter) are only on short-term deals, with a right to terminate the agreement at any time.
He also said the Save Our Speedway Association has not had the opportunity to present to councillors before previous voting has taken place.
“If you call it presenting, the only one that we had was the last council governing body meeting, where our King’s Counsel lawyer spoke on our behalf. And that was through a legal process, not through a typical voluntary process.”
“We have a judicial review coming up in July, which is unfortunate that we’ve had to get this far down the track and go to that extent.”
The Save Our Speedway Association has shared a proposal with Auckland Council to privatise the stadium, include all current tenants, and maximise stadium use.
“We’ve approached all current parties, and in our proposal, we’re the only one that’s bringing money to the table, so we’ve got $20M, and it’s guaranteed through an investment.
“We actually offered to pay for Ponsonby Rugby Club’s clubrooms, which they are in desperate need of.
“This is not just about us.”
“As part of our proposal, we want to put a whole brand-new complex in there, which is a community centre. So we’re talking about a crèche, pool, café, gymnasium, etc.”
“Within that, we wanted to bring in as many community groups as possible, because the stadium is underused. Almost every time you go past the place, it’s sitting there dead quiet.”
Jones said the open-wheel speedway family hasn’t given up and will battle until the end.
“I can tell you, as one of the people that’s seen more information than anyone, I still cannot tell you the reason as to why they want speedway gone.
“There’s more here that does not make sense than what does make sense.
“How is making something less making it better?”
Listen to the full interview below:
