Racing Classes
Every Class of NZ Speedway Racing
From Quarter Midgets for 5-year-olds to 900hp Sprintcars for seasoned professionals — discover every racing class sanctioned by Speedway New Zealand. Compare specs, costs, age requirements, and find your pathway into the sport.
Superstocks
The premier full-contact class and flagship of NZ speedway. Purpose-built race cars designed for deliberate, high-impact contact racing. Formerly known as A Grade Stockcars.
Stockcars
The largest class in NZ speedway by numbers. Same full-contact racing as Superstocks but with restrictor plates and equipment limitations to keep costs down.
Streetstocks
Based on strengthened road cars. The most affordable National class. Uniquely races in both directions around the track. Particularly strong in the South Island.
Youth Ministocks
Introductory class for 12-16 year olds. Cars look like mini Stockcars but contact is strictly prohibited. The largest youth class nationally — where most NZ speedway careers begin.
Adult Ministocks
Same technical rules as Youth Ministocks but for adults 16+. An affordable entry point for adult beginners wanting to try speedway.
Sprint Cars
The fastest four-wheeled vehicles on NZ speedway tracks. Winged warriors with massive top wings for downforce. International class also huge in USA and Australia.
Midgets
Smaller, wingless open-wheel cars. Fast, technical, fiercely competitive. Harder to drive than winged sprint cars due to no downforce aids.
TQ Midgets
Three-Quarter Midget — small, single-seat open-wheel pocket rockets. Popular stepping stone to Midgets and Sprint Cars. Known for thrilling wheel-to-wheel action.
F2 Midgets
Budget-friendly stepping stone between Ministocks and full Midgets. Emphasises driver ability over expensive modifications.
Minisprints
Midget-sized chassis with small capacity motor and big wing for downforce.
Six Shooters
Sprint Car chassis with Holden Commodore V6 motor. Also called Wingless Sprint Cars. NZ's newest regional class, expected to grow rapidly.
Super Saloons
The V8 Supercars of NZ Speedway. Wide-tyred, fibreglass-clad Big Bangers that look like classic American muscle cars but are full race cars underneath. Crowd favourites.
Saloons
The newest and fastest growing National class. Stricter rules than Super Saloons to control speeds and costs. Body must resemble a road-going vehicle.
Production Saloons
Entry-level class using standard road cars under 4 litres. Various makes and models compete. Excellent gateway into speedway for adults.
Modifieds
Aerodynamic open-wheel cars introduced to NZ in the 1970s. Considered a glamour class. Extremely challenging to drive.
Quarter Midgets (Kiwi Kidz)
Youth class for open wheel racing. Purpose-built small race cars for kids aged 8-15. Run by the Kiwi Kidz Quarter Midget Club. The youngest entry point into NZ speedway.
Sidecars
Motorcycle with sidecar attachment. Two-person teams where the passenger (swinger) shifts body weight to aid cornering. A spectacular and unique discipline.
Solo Motorcycles
Solo speedway motorcycles racing on the oval. A classic speedway discipline worldwide with deep NZ heritage — Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs, and Ronnie Moore all came from NZ.
Demolition Derby
Last-car-running elimination. Standard road cars with safety modifications. Hugely popular crowd entertainment, often at season openers and closers.
Career Pathways
New Zealand speedway offers clear progression routes. Start young and work your way up to the top classes in your chosen discipline.
Contact Path
Saloon Path
Open Wheel Path
Ready to Race?
Whether you are 5 or 50, there is a class for you. Learn how to get your licence, find a club, and hit the track for the first time.
Get StartedUnderstanding NZ Speedway Classes
Open-Wheel vs Sedan: Open-wheel classes (Sprintcars, Midgets, Modifieds) use purpose-built race cars with exposed wheels and often wings for downforce. Sedan classes (Superstocks, Stockcars, Saloons) use car bodies similar to production vehicles, ranging from lightly modified to full tube-frame chassis.
Contact Racing: A uniquely New Zealand and Australian tradition. Full-contact classes like Superstocks and Stockcars allow deliberate hitting as part of race strategy, making them the most spectacular classes for spectators. Team formats add another layer of tactical depth.
Youth Development: Speedway New Zealand provides excellent youth pathways. Quarter Midgets accept drivers from age 5, Youth Ministocks from 12, and most adult classes from 16–18. Many of New Zealand's top drivers started in youth classes.
International Competition: Several NZ classes follow international specifications. The Midget World Series brings top American drivers to NZ each summer, while NZ Sprintcar and Superstock drivers regularly compete in Australia and the USA.