Racing Classes
NZ Speedway Classes Explained
From high-powered Sprintcars to entry-level Youth Ministocks, discover every racing class in New Zealand speedway. Learn the rules, specs, and what makes each class unique.
Sprintcars
The fastest cars in New Zealand speedway. Open-wheel and winged, with a V8 capped by Speedway NZ at 410 cubic inches. The top wing is what holds them to the clay.
Team Formats
Major Championships
Superstocks
Full-contact, high-powered V8 stockcars. The most popular class in NZ speedway. Purpose-built race cars with massive V8 engines designed for aggressive racing and spectacular crashes.
Team Formats
Major Championships
Stockcars
The original full-contact class. Smaller engines than Superstocks but equally aggressive racing. Known for demolition-derby style action and strategic team racing.
Team Formats
Major Championships
Midgets
Small, purpose-built open-wheel race cars with 4-cylinder engines. Spectacular to watch with sideways driving style. Part of the international midget racing circuit.
Subclasses
Major Championships
Modifieds
Open-wheel race cars with big-block V8 engines. Highly modified chassis and suspension for maximum cornering speed. No wings unlike sprintcars.
Major Championships
Streetstocks
Entry-level full-contact class using modified production sedans. Affordable racing with close competition. Road car-based but heavily modified for racing.
Major Championships
Saloons / Production Saloons
Modified production sedans with safety equipment. More stock than Streetstocks, providing affordable entry into speedway racing.
Major Championships
Super Saloons
Highly modified saloons with V8 engines. Faster than stockcars but with limited contact rules. Spectacular speed in a sedan body.
Major Championships
Youth Ministocks
Entry-level racing for young drivers, in restricted, purpose-built cars with a full cage. Where most NZ speedway drivers start, and where racecraft gets taught before speed does.
Subclasses
Major Championships
Six Shooters
A small, affordable entry class in front-wheel-drive cars with basic safety modifications. About the cheapest way into a race meeting.
Major Championships
Minisprints
Scaled-down open-wheel race cars with motorcycle engines. Wings and open wheels like sprintcars. Great stepping stone to full-size sprintcars.
Major Championships
Sidecars
Motorcycle and sidecar combination racing on dirt ovals. Passenger acts as ballast, leaning dramatically through corners. Unique and spectacular racing.
Major Championships
Quarter Midgets
Purpose-built race cars for children aged 5-16. Quarter-scale of full midgets. Teaches young drivers racecraft in a safe environment.
Subclasses
Major Championships
Contact Racing
Superstocks, Stockcars, and Streetstocks allow full contact. Hitting opponents is part of the strategy and spectacle.
Speed Classes
Sprintcars, Midgets, and Modifieds are non-contact speed classes where the fastest car wins. Spectacular sideways action.
Entry Level
Youth Ministocks (12-16), Quarter Midgets (5-16), and Streetstocks (16+) offer affordable entry points into speedway racing.
Understanding NZ Speedway Classes
Open-Wheel vs Sedan: Open-wheel classes (Sprintcars, Midgets, Modifieds) use purpose-built race cars with exposed wheels. Sedan classes (Superstocks, Stockcars, Saloons) use car bodies similar to production vehicles.
Team Racing: Superstock Teams and Stockcar Teams are unique formats where drivers work together to accumulate points for their team. Strategic cooperation and spectacular team tactics make these events fan favorites.
Youth Development: New Zealand speedway has excellent youth development pathways. Drivers can start in Quarter Midgets at age 5, progress to Youth Ministocks at 12, then move into adult classes at 16-18.
International Standards: Many NZ classes follow international specifications, allowing Kiwi drivers to compete overseas and international stars to race in New Zealand. The Midget World Series brings top American drivers to NZ each summer.
Something wrong on this page?
If you know this sport better than we do, tell us. No account, no email needed.
Thank you, genuinely.
A person reads every one of these. If you are right the page gets fixed and the change goes in our public corrections log, so anyone can see what was wrong and what we did about it.
Know before you drive out there
Pick your track and we will email you the moment a meeting is called off, moved, or new dates go up.
You are on the list.